Johnathon Bush receives a food product development award from U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Johnathon, a senior at Toledo Central Catholic High School, was one of three winners in the contest put on by the Center for Innovative Food Technology. (Photo courtesy of Toledo Central Catholic High School)

Johnathon, an incoming senior at Toledo Central Catholic High School, is the youngest person to ever receive this award. The winners were selected in recognition of their product concepts, and U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur presented their awards.

Johnathon’s product is a turtle cookie that he makes through his business, Not Just Cookies. It is a homemade, rich chocolate cookie with caramel, pecans and chocolate chips. The cookie is made from natural ingredients such as pure vanilla extract and real butter, and it is made on a baking stone rather than an aluminum cookie sheet.

Following a review of written applications and presentations by food entrepreneurs and chefs to a panel of judges, the highest scoring concepts were selected based on the viability of the product, commercialization potential, business strategy and overall appeal to the marketplace.

As a result of the award, direct consultation and technical assistance from CIFT staff will be provided to the start-up businesses ranging from business planning, product/process development, shelf stability testing, labeling review, regulatory assistance and batch product preparations for sampling.

Later, production will begin at the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK), a nonprofit commercial facility that educates and advises new and growing businesses and provides access to a commercially-licensed kitchen.

For more information on Johnathon’s business, visit www.NotJustCookies.org.