Fair weather has arrived right on schedule for the annual San Diego County Fair. And that means it's time for the roundup of the fair's one-day cooking contests.
If you're an amateur cook with what you think is a winning recipe, you might want to give one or more of these a whirl -- especially since you'll get free admission to the fair on the day of your contest when you bring in your entry.
Bring your entry (preferably in a cooler, since it'll be disqualified if it's spoiled!) and an entry form to the Home and Hobby contest area between opening time and 12:30 p.m. All contest judging begins at 1 p.m. Other rules vary from contest to contest. Find all the rules and print out entry forms at www.sdfair.com; click on Contests and Competitive Exhibits, then on One-Day Contests. I hope a lot of North County folks give these contests a try and come away winners!
June 13: The Great American Spam Championship. Use at least 1 can of Spam, any variety, to create "easy, almost effortless main dishes that are sure-fire crowd pleasers." Prizes: $150, $50, $25. One national grand prize winner will be chosen from all of the first-place recipes from cooks ages 18 and up. (Note: There's also a Spam Kid Chef of the Year Contest at 2 p.m. June 21, as well as other cooking contests for junior chefs. Check the fair's Web site for contest details.)
June 14: Ghirardelli Chocolate Championship. Create your most decadent chocolate recipe for a dessert or treat, using at least one Ghirardelli baking product. Prizes: $150, $50, Ghirardelli gift basket. Also, an additional Ghirardelli prize will be awarded randomly.
June 16: Lindsay Olive Lovers Salad Challenge. Create a sensational and flavorful salad in the "Olive Lovers" Salad Challenge using two or more varieties of Lindsay olives. Salad themes can range from light summer creations to fall comfort foods, from sides to main-dish salads. Prizes: $100 and gift basket; $50 and gift basket; gift basket.
June 18: Lotsa Pasta Contest (with Lotsa Pasta Restaurant). Bring your favorite pasta dish. Pasta may be store-bought. Sauce must be made from scratch. Appetizers, main dish, salad or desserts. Prizes: gift certificates to Lotsa Pasta, $25, $20 and $15. First-place winner in each class will compete for an additional $25 gift certificate.
June 20: Make It With Malt-O-Meal: Make any food creation with any Malt-O-Meal brand cold cereal, from a hearty meal to a sweet-treat dessert. Prizes: $100, $50, $25 in Malt-O-Meal coupons. First 20 contestants will each receive a Malt-O-Meal coupon.
June 21: Salsa Contest. Make your favorite salsa and bring it, with your recipe and how you use your salsa: vegetable, fruit, most unusual categories. First-place winner in each class will compete for a $25 Sweepstakes award.
June 23: Cupcakes and Muffins (with Les Dames d'Escoffier International). Make your favorite muffin or cupcake and bring six of them to the fair, with the recipe. Categories: Dessert Cupcakes (any sweet cupcake except chocolate cake, but it may have chocolate in it); Chocolate Cupcakes (cake is chocolate or cocoa-based); Savory Muffins (any herb or non-sweet muffin); Sweet Muffins (any fruit, nut or breakfast-type sweet muffin). Prizes: $25, $15, $10.
June 26: Pie Day. Your homemade, standard-size pie. Disposable pie plates are requested. Categories: Apple; Cherry; Chocolate; Nut; Other, fruit; Any other, pumpkin, etc. First-place winner in each class will compete for a $25 Sweepstakes award.
June 27: Cooking With Beer (with the San Diego Beer Festival held at the fair). All entries must include beer in the recipe. Categories: Baked item (quick breads, muffins, etc.); Appetizer; Main Dish. First-place winner in each class will compete for a $25 Sweepstakes award and admission to the Beer Festival that day (visit www.sdfair.com/beer).
June 28: King Arthur Flour "Great Cake Contest!" Bake your greatest cake using King Arthur flour (not using a mix). Any frostings or toppings are allowed, with themes and decorations encouraged. Prizes: $150 gift card to kingarthur.com; $75 gift card; $50 gift card.
June 29: Concert Night Food. Prepare a dish suitable for an opera, jazz night, symphony, rock 'n' roll concert, or any other music genre. Categories: Concert Appetizers, concert Main Dish, Concert Dessert. First-place winner in each class will compete for a $25 Sweepstakes award.
July 3: Hidden Valley Dressings "Fresh Taste for the Family" Recipe Contest. Create any entree, appetizer or side dish "centered on fresh food, wholesome ingredients and traditions that bring families together," using at least one (1 ounce) packet or 2 or more tablespoons Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix. Prizes: $200; $100; $50. First-place winner in each class will compete for Sweepstakes award.
Got a food question? Missing a recipe? Write to North County Times staff writer Laura Groch at Bites and Pieces, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025 or e-mail to bites@nctimes.com.
