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Cook Up Some Competition

Rick Bonino Food Editor

Got those competitive cooking juices flowing? Here are a handful of upcoming contests to test your culinary skills (entries must be on 8- by 11-inch sheets, one per envelope):

First, for cybersurfers only, Honeysuckle White is hosting a “virtual turkey chili cook-off” at its Web site, http:/ /www.honeysucklewhite.com/turkey. Winners get $200 in each of two categories, for ground and chopped turkey. Enter by e-mail through March 15 (see the site for details).

While it’s not really a recipe contest, Cooking Light magazine is offering a “complete lifestyle makeover,” plus $1,000 cash. Send your name, address, occupation, a brief description of your eating and exercise habits, a written statement (100-150 words) why you’re the perfect choice for a makeover and a recent photo to: Cooking Light Makeover Contest, P.O. Box 1748, Birmingham, AL 35201. Deadline is March 31.

McCall’s magazine and Sonoma Dried Tomatoes are again teaming up for a recipe contest, with a $5,000 grand prize and $1,000 each for two runners-up. Send easy, original recipes using packaged or marinated dried tomatoes along with your name, address and daytime telephone number to: Sonoma Dried Tomato Recipe Contest, c/o McCall’s, P.O. Box 5163, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10169. Deadline is March 31.

For the younger set, Base Hit Cookies, the official fund-raising program for amateur baseball, is looking for new cookie flavors. The winner will receive an autographed Nolan Ryan glove. Send suggestions along with name, age (must be 16 or under), address and telephone number by March 31 to: Base Hit Cookies Coolest Cookie Contest, P.O. Box 51460, Ontario, CA 91761.

Kretschmer Wheat Germ is sponsoring a healthy recipe contest with three categories: muffins/ biscuits/coffee cakes/other breads, cookies/other desserts and main dishes. Recipes must use at least 1/2 cup wheat germ and no more than 12 ingredients. Grand prize is $5,000, with other cash awards. Send entries along with Kretschmer proof of purchase (receipt or UPC code) to: Kretschmer Wheat Germ Recipe Contest, P.O. Box 530, Barrington, IL 60011. Deadline is April 1.

Winning ways

If you’re planning on entering a cooking contest, here’s some advice from past winners on how to improve your chances, courtesy of McCall’s magazine: Keep recipes simple; reflect current food trends; use readily available, inexpensive ingredients; make sure flavors are intense; give precise measurements and clear steps; use the sponsoring company’s products in different ways and follow the rules exactly.

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MEMO: We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.

We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.