Uncle Ben's announces third annual cooking contest

RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif. — Uncle Ben's brand is teaming up with celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson for the third annual Ben's Beginners Cooking Contest, which is aimed at inspiring healthy eating habits by encouraging parents and kids to cook together.



Starting Wednesday, Aug. 13, parents with children in grades K-8 can submit home videos of their families preparing a rice-based meal and discussing the experience together, the company said.



The bond that can blossom between parents and their children when cooking together is enormous," said Tim Snyder, VP of sales and marketing, Mars Food North America, the parent company of the Uncle Ben's brand. "It's our goal to instill this bond in families and at the same time, get kids to learn about healthy eating."



Participants will have the chance to win one of five grand prizes, which include $15,000 in cash, a hometown celebration and a $30,000 cafeteria makeover for their child's school. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 10. Families can go to UncleBens.com for the official rules of the contest.