For Immediate Release: June 11, 2009
Contact: Donald Sico 609-351-3591 or Emily Littman 609-393-4931
Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac Hosts Event to Highlight Healthy Living Effort
Woodbridge – Local citizens crowded into the Wegmans in Woodbridge on the evening of June 10th to watch mayors compete in the Second Annual Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) “Mayors Healthy Cook-Off.” The cook-off featured mayors from Central New Jersey.
Mayors Win at Second Annual Woodbridge Cook-off
Four local mayors were declared the winners in the Second Annual Mayors Wellness Campaign “Mayors Healthy Cook-off” held on June 10th at the Woodbridge Wegmans. Pictured from left are: South Amboy Mayor Jack O’Leary (winner of “Best Overall” for Stuffed Filet Mignon), North Brunswick Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack (winner of “Best Presentation” for Cajun Alligator), New Jersey State Senator Joseph Vitale (judge), Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool (winner of “Most Nutritious” for Roast Pork with Fennel and Apple), Wegmans Executive Chef Matt Cerchio (judge), all-time NY Jet return leader Bruce Harper (judge) and Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac (winner of “Best Tasting” for Grilled Brown Sugar Barbeque Chicken).
“Everyone was a winner,” said Emily Littman, Director of the Mayors Wellness Campaign. “It was a fun evening filled with a little nutrition education thrown in. We are so grateful to all the mayors, our partners, the judges and those who donated door prizes. We are particularly grateful to Wegmans and Mayor John McCormac and his staff. This event would not have been possible without them.”
A panel of judges, which included all-time NY Jets return leader Bruce Harper, New Jersey State Senator Joseph Vitale and Wegmans Executive Chef Matt Cerchio awarded four mayors with special engraved silver platters as follows:
• “Best Presentation” – North Brunswick Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack (Cajun Alligator)
• “Most Nutritious” – Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy M. Malool (Roast Pork with Fennel and Apple)
• “Best Tasting” – Woodbridge Mayor John MCormac (Grilled Brown Sugar Barbeque Chicken)
• “Best Overall” – South Amboy Mayor Jack O’Leary (Stuffed Filet Mignon)
The Mayors Healthy Cook-Offs are sponsored by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
Door prizes were donated by Wegmans, LA Fitness, the Mayors Wellness Campaign and Cliff’s Bar. A nutritional analysis of the recipes was conducted by Leigh Anderson of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
The Mayors Wellness Campaign is an initiative of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (www.njhcqi.org) in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (www.njslom.org). The MWC supports mayors as champions of community health. The goal is to increase opportunities for New Jersey residents to participate in daily physical activity with a long-term goal of reducing health care costs secondary to obesity. Through public-private partnerships, the MWC provides structure and resources for healthy community initiatives. By encouraging mayors to play a leadership role in supporting local opportunities for active, healthy lifestyles, the intent of the MWC is to improve health and make New Jersey a national leader in community-based health interventions.
