It’s Fair Time in San Diego County! Did you know that if you take part in some of the one-day contests offered at the fair, you can get free entry that day? These contests are especially for amateurs, and several of them involve FOOD! Here’s a rundown of what’s going on and when. You will need to download an entry form, plus a form on which to write your original recipe, at http://www.sdfair.com/entry. Bring everything to the Home and Hobby Area on the second floor by 12:30 p.m. on the day of the contest. Your entry and entry contest form will admit you free!

The Great American “Spam” Championship,  Saturday, June 7: OK, short notice on this one, but if you’re used to whipping up your Spam specialty, you might be able to enter it in time! This year’s Spam contest is seeking Amazing Appetizers. Recipes are judged on Creativity, Taste and Presentation. The National Grand Prize is a trip to the 2015 Waikiki Spam Jam Festival in Hawaii (ages 18 and up). Fair prizes are $150, $50 and $25. Make your appetizer with at least one 12-ounce can of Spam products (Classic, Lite, Less Sodium, Hot & Spicy, or other) and up to 10 other ingredients. (Salt, pepper, cooking oil, water and garnishes do NOT count.) One National Spam Kid Chef of the Year (age 7 to 17) will be selected out of all 26 first place recipes, and will win a $2,000 cash prize.

All You Need Is Pie” Baking Contest, June 14: It’s just pie, folks! For ages 18 and over. Disposable plates are requested. Pies can be dessert or savory, and will be judged on filling (flavor and consistency) and crust (texture and flavor, appearance, uniqueness of product). First place winner in each class will receive $25.

“Jer’s” Chocolate Contest, June 21: Make a bite-size dessert recipe (amateurs only) using peanuts or peanut butter with chocolate. Chocolate prizes await the top finalists: First place, a Best of Jer’s Chocolates Gift Tower; second, Jer’s Chocolates Trio Tower and third, $25 Gift Certificate to Jer’s Chocolates. Entries will be judged on appearance, taste and creativity.

Bisquick Family Favorites Recipe Contest, June 22 (Ages 18 & Up).  Use Bisquick mix (1 cup or more) and make any   brunch, lunch, snack, dinner or dessert-type recipe. Amateurs only. Just make your recipe easy and spectacular! Recipes judged on ease of preparation, taste and overall appeal. First place is now $200 and there’s a New Entrant Award! Second is $100 and third is $50. Winners also receive a ribbon, award certificate and apron.

“Ringo’s Rockin Barbeque Sauce” Contest, June 28 (Ages 18 and over). Just the sauce, ma’am, just the sauce is the focus here. Judging will be on flavor, creativity, appearance and texture. Three categories: Hot and Spicy, Mild and Sweet, and Most Unusual Ingredients. Winner in each category gets $25.

“Sgt Pepper’s Salsa” Contest, July 1 (Ages 18 and over) Create your favorite salsa, and bring your favorite chips, crackers, pita chips, etc., that go best with your salsa for judging.  Categories are Most creative ingredients; Best tasting; and Most unusual. Salsas will be judged on flavor, creativity, and appearance and texture. Winners get $25.

Gold Medal Flour Cookie Contest, July 4 (Ages 18 & Up) Calling all cookies, any style, size or shape. Just be sure to use at least 1 cup of Gold Medal flour to create them! Cookies will be judged on Appearance, Flavor and Texture.  Prizes are $200, $100 and $50, plus a “New Entrant” Award. And all winners receive a ribbon, award certificate and apron.

Find more info at http://www.sdfair.com/pdf/2014_exhibits/home-hobby/one_day/2014ONEDAYADULTCONTESTS-Home-Hobby.pdf. And good luck!

(c) Copyright Laura Groch 2014