The Arizona State Fair is just around the corner and while we're dusting off our heavy-duty eating pants, the more culinarily inclined ought to get their ovens at the ready. Whether you've got a tried and true family recipe with Bisquick mix or just a favorite cookie mix, there's a contest calling your name at this year's fair. We're particularly excited about the Great American SPAM Championship -- because, SPAM, duh.
See also: - Eating the Arizona State Fair: Red Velvet Funnel Cake, Gigantic Ribs, Pineapple Lemonade -- and the Hunt for the Cap'n Crunch Hamburger - The Sweet Potato Corn Dog and the Hunt for the Cap'n Crunch Burger: Eating the State Fair, Round 2
Home chefs and creative cooking types can look forward to four different recipe contests at the fair this year:
- Scratch Bakers Cookie Challenge
- Bisquick Family Favorites Recipe Contest
- Karo Syrup "Sweet Treats for Sweethearts" Contest
- The Great American SPAM Championship
This first challenge requires contestants use Gold Medal flour to create the "most delicious and most award-worthy cookies at the 2013 Arizona State Fair." They can be any size, shape or style as long as they're made from scratch. Entries will be judged on appearance, flavor and texture in the competition for cash prizes, aprons and a bag of Gold Medal Flour. The first place winner will receive $100, $50 for second place and $25 for third.
In this contest, judges will chose from a selection of dishes that use Bisquick mix to reinvent classic appetizers or revitalize everyday meals. Recipes must use Bisquick mix and will be judged based on their appearance, flavor and texture. First place will be awarded $100, second place $50 and third place $25. All three winners will also receive an award certificate, apron and a package of Bisquick mix.
If you're the type who shows your love with a little something sweet from the kitchen, then this contest should be a piece of, er, cake. The Karo Syrup "Sweet Treats for Sweethearts" Contest wants participants with "the tastiest, most creative and eye-catching" sweets -- so long as the recipe features Karo Light or Dark Corn Syrup. The contest offers two categories: Top Sweet-Treats, for which contestants will vie for $125, $50 or $25, and the Best Bite-Sized Treats for which one winner will take home $100. Both categories will be judged on taste, creativity, presentation and ease of preparation.
The SPAM sandwich is a simple but delectable treat and this year your best SPAM sandwich recipe could land you a trip to the Hawai'i for the annual SPAM JAM Waikiki Festival. Two categories welcome both kids and adults to enter and the top three recipes in each age group will win up to $150 for first place. Recipes can be any size, shape or style and will be judged on taste, creativity and presentation. They must also use 10 ingredients or less. The National Grand SPAM Champion will also win an all-expense paid trip to Hawai'i for the 2014 SPAM JAM Waikiki Festival, while the National SPAM Kid Chef of the Year will take home a $2,000 cash prize. First place recipes will be entered in the national contest.
Registration deadlines for all four contests is on Wednesday, September 25. The Arizona State Fair runs from October 10 to November 3. For full contest details and complete entry guidelines visit the Arizona State Fair website or call the Arizona State Fair entry office at 602-257-7140.