Have you ever entered a cooking contest? They’re everywhere I’ve learned. From local and statewide contests to the Pillsbury Bake-off, contests abound. You just need to know where to look.
I’ve come across three major competitions lately. One is the National Chicken Cooking Competition. It is held annually and the grand prize is $100,000. Yep, you read it right. That’s a pretty big incentive to get your creative juices flowing. The rules for this contest are relatively simple. You need to have a recipe that includes chicken. The nice part is that it can be in virtually any form, from rotisserie to breasts, to drumsticks. Anything goes as long as it’s delicious. One contestant from each state is chosen as a finalist.
Another competition is the Southern Living Competition. Also held annually, its grand prize is also $100,000. Each year the product sponsors change. You have to use one product sponsor in each recipe you submit. The wonderful thing is that their sponsors even include oil, cooking spray, sugar, and cream cheese. It makes entering this contest very easy. Think carefully though before you submit—only 15 finalists are chosen.
The biggest contest of all is the Pillsbury Bake-off. Held semi-annually, this contest boasts an amazing grand prize of 1 Million Dollars. My best friend was lucky enough to be chosen for this competition this year, and said the experience was amazing. If you’d like to enter the next contest, keep checking their website for upcoming information. Like the Southern Living Competition, the products change each time for this contest, and you have to use two sponsor products in each recipe you enter. 100 finalists are chosen for each competition.
If you’re considering entering a cooking contest, I say go for it! It’s great fun and if nothing else, you’ll be able to create your own cookbook someday with all of the recipes you’ve compiled. And let’s be honest…who couldn’t use a million dollars? Here in Southern California that might even buy me a three-bedroom condominium…. sure wish I was kidding.
Happy entering!