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Tips To Win Contests

Merri Lou Dobler Correspondent

Want to win a cooking contest? Joyce Campagna, editor of The Cooking Contest Newsletter, offers these tips:

Read the rules carefully and get an idea what judges want.

Come up with a mouth-watering title. It has to be enticing, as well as give judges an idea of what your recipe is all about.

Use the sponsor’s product every way you can. For example, if the rules call for using at least one cup of flour, try to use two cups. Sponsors look for ample use of their product.

Test the recipe on someone impartial. Get an honest opinion of your creation.

After you’ve written up the recipe, put it aside and reread it later. It’s the simple errors that can disqualify you.

Watch the spices. Be careful the dish is not too spicy, but make sure it’s flavorful.

Presentation is important. Judges will want to photograph your work, and it has to look appealing.

Keep the number of ingredients down. Fewer than eight ingredients is best, Campagna says.

For more information on cooking contests, send $2 for a sample issue to: The Cooking Contest Newsletter, P.O. Box 339, Summerville, S.C. 29484.