OPM Deputy Director Christine Griffin Announces the Winners of the Feds Get Fit Healthy Recipe Challenge in the DC Area

In addition to Griffin, celebrity judges Carla Hall, Robyn Webb and Darryl Haley sampled the top five finalist's dishes to see which recipes were both nutritious and delicious.

WASHINGTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On April 21, 2010, five federal employees participated in the Feds Get Fit (FGF) Healthy Recipe Challenge Cook-off held at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM Deputy Director Christine Griffin and celebrity judges Nutritionist Robyn Webb, Top Chef finalist Carla Hall and former New England Patriot Darryl Haley named Melissa A. Knoll of the Social Security Administration as the first place winner for her "Roasted Tomato Curry Coconut Soup with Shrimp and Peas" recipe.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100422/DC92054-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100422/DC92054-b)

"Feds Get Fit is our way of providing Federal employees with the opportunities and the tools they need to be healthier Americans," said Griffin. "Congratulations to Melissa – her soup was amazing and we can't wait to feature it in the OPM cafeteria."

The five finalists were the top entries of the 180 recipes submitted in the Washington, DC area. The other Federal employees who prepared winning dishes were first runner up Alexandra Ritchie from the Department of Interior, second runner up Marcie Ann Stone from the Department of Homeland Security. Tobey J. Zimber from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Sapna Savannah Lulla from the Federal Aviation Administration received honorable mention for their recipes.

The dishes were judged based on presentation, aroma, creativity, taste, texture and nutritional value.

Nationwide, over 500 recipes were submitted to the FGF Health Recipe Challenge. The twenty-eight Federal Executive Boards (FEB) were instrumental in promoting this challenge across the country. Each FEB will host recognition events this month.

All winners nationwide will have their recipes and photo published in the online Feds Get Fit Cookbook (www.fedsgetfit.gov). The winners in the DC area will be featured on WHUR radio with Darryl Haley and the first place and two runners-up will receive gift cards from OPM to continue their pursuit of healthy eating

This was the first Healthy Recipe Challenge that OPM has led. The Challenge is part of the FGF wellness initiative which is an interactive and fun way for Federal employees to participate in activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.

USOPM Photos by: Aline Mays 04/21/2010

The United States Office of Personnel Management is committed to recruiting, retaining and honoring a world-class workforce to serve the American people.

SOURCE U.S. Office of Personnel Management