Grade school foodie

Here’s what a good, healthy fish taco recipe can get you: A visit with Mayor-President Kip Holden and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, city and state days named after you, and a seat at a White House dinner table next to First Lady Michelle Obama (plus a surprise visit from President Obama thrown in).

Baton Rouge native Michael Prados, a 12-year-old from St. George Catholic School, isn’t a stranger to culinary endeavors—he’s got his own food blog, jrfoodcritic.com. But it was his recipe for fish tacos, entered in Epicurious’ Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, that earned him the most attention.

He was selected to represent Louisiana at the first-ever Kids’ State Dinner at the White House, honoring kids who created healthy recipes. Prados, who brought his grandfather to the event, says he didn’t know he’d be seated next to the First Lady, who stayed on point during dinner conversation. “We talked about eating healthy and exercising,” Prados says.

The fish taco recipe that got all the attention features flaky white fish marinated in soy sauce and a tangy cabbage slaw with citrus juice. He says he was inspired to create healthy recipes when he learned of Louisiana’s high childhood obesity rate. He wanted to help kids get involved in the kitchen using recipes safe for kids to make on their own. So, for example, his potato soup recipe uses frozen hash browns rather than requiring young chefs to cut up potatoes.

To download the cookbook of all the winning Healthy Lunchtime Challenge recipes, go to recipechallenge.epicurious.com.

—BENJAMIN LEGER