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Entering Recipe Contests

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recipecontest Do you love to create your own recipes or have you ever thought about trying to create one? Recipe contests can net you some extra cash and prestige. From the county fair to the online contests to national TV shows, there are plenty of places to enter recipes.

But first let’s talk about what makes a good contest recipe. First the recipe needs to be good and well tested. Enlist anyone you can to sample your dish and to give honestly brutal feedback. It’s so important to get several taste buds’ opinion of your recipe to be able to tweak it properly.

Don’t go for over complicated. In fact the simpler you can make it, the better. I’m surprised to see so many winning recipes to be something that I could make in my home right now. There’s no fancy spices but just everyday kitchen staples or at least ingredients I can find at my local grocer. While it might be tempting to use some exotic seasonings, remember that your recipe will most likely be featured and there will be a lot of people testing it out. You don’t want them not to be able to make it and neither do the judges or sponsors.

If the recipe contest is sponsored, then, if possible, use one of their products in your recipe. This might even be a requirement for some contests. Be sure to read all of the rules carefully. If you have to use an ingredient, then make it a cornerstone ingredient instead of something just thrown in to meet the rules.

When naming your recipe, make it stand out. A unique name will make a lasting impression and could pique more interest in your dish.

Work on presentation. The better the dish looks on the plate, the more likely it is to be remember favorably.

Now are you ready to hit the kitchen and start working on that winning recipe? Well here are a few recipe contests that might be of interest:

Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese contest

Taste of Home’s Best Loved Recipe contest

National Beef Cook-off

Chocolate Recipe Contest

Pillsbury Bake-off

Contessa’s Breakfast Recipe Contest

International Pancake Day Cooking/Recipe Contest


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