Guest Author - Sandy Lovern
There are so many recipe contests out there and if you are not entering them, you are missing a great opportunity to win. You don’t have to be “Top Chief” to win these. Most companies are looking for the simple, homemade recipe that gets your family and friends salivating.
To win recipe contests, there are some strict guidelines you must adhere to. First of all, read the rules. You may have a wonderful recipe, but if your measurements are not exact, then you won’t make it to first base with the judges. Remember you are writing it for an audience so, “a touch of this,” and “a pinch of this,” won’t get it. If the key ingredient they are looking for is strawberries and you substitute blueberries, you will be disqualified.
Be creative with the name for your special recipe. Catchy names go a long way with judges because they are looking to market your dish. This, like any other contest or sweepstakes, is to draw in the consumer. If I made a bang up tuna casserole and labeled it “Tuna Casserole,” it is not going to stop anyone in their tracks. The judges would probably assume it is like any other tuna casserole, but if I name it “Potluck Tuna,” it makes you think for a minute. You know potluck is usually associated with throwing things together so you might be intrigued to read further. Your thinking could be, hmmm…what have they thrown into this tuna dish to make it different?
Read thoroughly what the recipe will be judged on. Mushrooms Every Day, Every Way Recipe Contest I have posted below along with partial rules.
They will score your recipe on: Creativity/Uniqueness 25 points, Feasibility 25 points, Flavor 25 points and Visual Appeal 25 points.
One winner will be chosen for each category and will win $1,000. A Grand Prize winner will be chosen from the three and will win an additional $1,000!
Entries must be received by midnight CST August 1, 2010.
The Contest begins at 12:00 a.m. Central Time (CT) on March 1, 2010, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 1, 2010.
Entry requirements: Each recipe must include at least 8 ounces of fresh commercially-cultivated mushrooms.
Each recipe must fall into at least one of the following categories and you may enter in any of the 3 categories with as many recipes as you want.
Breakfast: From quiche to breakfast casseroles to everything in between, send us your mushroom recipes suitable for morning fare.
Main Dish: Whether mushrooms are used as a substitute for meat or to enhance the overall flavor of the meal, we're looking for your favorite main dish recipes.
Appetizers & Sides: Submit your great-tasting mushroom recipe for the perfect party appetizer or side dish (including soup and salad)
You must indicate on your entry the category into which your dish falls.
You must also indicate on your entry: the name of the dish, the ingredients, exact U.S. measurements, required utensils, timing, special preparation instructions and approximate number of servings.
Entry must be in English
So go open a can of tuna and get creative!
Get the inside scoop on how people are winning all of those sweepstakes and contests, and here´s a clue, it´s not all luck! Sweepstakes Your Guide to Winning! will give you step-by-step instructions on how to be a winner. To learn more, go to Sweepstakes Your Guide to Winning!
To read more from Editor and Author Sandy Lovern, please visit
Sandy Lovern; and Sweepstakes Success
