HOUSTON, TEXAS, June 11, 2012 – Today, a Houston youth named Devlyn Davis was surprised by McDonald’s Owner/Operator John Tillman, Jr. and Ronald McDonald to learn he was selected as a finalist in McDonald’s Happy Meal Chefs contest and winner of a trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Devlyn Davis, an eight year old of Houston will participate in McDonald’s Global Champions of Play program in London where he will join kids from around the world to celebrate balanced eating and fun play.
“I should be a McDonald’s Happy Meal Chef because I am happy and not afraid to express my happiness…I’m a natural entertainer who shares happiness with everyone. I also have some ideas and new recipes,” said Devlyn Davis in his contest entry. Little did Devlyn know that he was invited to attend a Ronald McDonald program at a Houston McDonald’s restaurant where he would help Ronald McDonald read a book entitled, Chef Dan’s Plan, created by Sue and David Hinkin. This book talked about a kid helping McDonald’s Chef create a special recipe. At the end of the book was the surprise that Devlyn Davis would win a trip for his mom and him to the 2012 Summer Olympics. “I am ecstatic about being a Happy Meal Chef finalist,” said an excited Devlyn.
Open to parents and guardians with kids ages eight to 11, the Happy Meal Chefs contest sought out inspiring stories from families who enjoy cooking with wholesome ingredients at family mealtime. The young chef and his Mom Triana Davis entered the contest by answering a brief questionnaire and submitting a short video online that creatively showcased their family mealtime.
At the Olympics, Devlyn Davis along with the two winning Happy Meal Chefs and seven other contest finalists will meet Olympic athletes; attend Olympic sporting events; participate in cooking activities that promote balanced eating and have the exclusive privilege of playing with athletes at the Olympic venues. Later this fall, the two winning Happy Meal Chefs will go on to experience a one-of-a-kind apprenticeship with McDonald’s executive chef Dan Coudreaut to help in the creation and testing of new, nutrition-minded Happy Meal choices.
“We are thrilled that one of Houston’s own was chosen as a finalist in the Happy Meal Chefs contest,” said McDonald’s Owner-Operator John, Tillman, Jr. “We look forward to following Devlyn’s journey at the London 2012 Olympic Games.” Contest entries were judged by panel of experts specializing in food, nutrition and physical activity including five-time U.S. Olympic Swimmer and Global Champions of Play Ambassador Dara Torres. “After reading Devlyn’s contest entry, I was very impressed by his happiness and how he made nutrition fun,” said Torres. “I was also interested to read about Devlyn’s passion for writing, singing and cooking.
The Happy Meal Chefs contest was launched as part of McDonald’s new Happy Meal campaign which aims to help make nutrition fun for kids. The new Happy Meal campaign is McDonald’s latest initiative to support its “Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices,” announced July 2011.
For more information about the Happy Meal Chefs contest, please visit https://happymealchefs.mcdonalds.com/.
