Cooking Contests

I just entered my first cooking contest. I don't know whether to be elated or worried. My entry was pretty slap dash and I haven't actually cooked the dish in a long time, so I was going from memory. I am simultaneously excited and repulsed by the cooking contest world. It seems almost like playing the lotto, such big prizes at stake, and yet it is not the kind of cooking I normally aspire to. I just finished reading "The Ungarnished truth" by Ellie Matthews about her Pillsbury Bake-off win. It was an OK read, though I got the feeling that Ellie is a pretty underwhelmed person, and thus I had trouble mustering up enthusiasm when she seemed to lack it as well. It got me to thinking about food contests, and how for years now I have entertained the notion of entering Pillsbury. I get all fired up and then sputter out when I see all the rules and regulations. Not to mention I never actually cook with biscuits in a can and ready to go pie crust. I always kick myself when the entry period is closed. So, I've resolved to start taking action and tonight I entered the Dole California cook-off. I could win a 4-day, 3-night trip to California to compete for cash and a chance to have my recipe printed on 1000s of DOLE Canned Fruit or Juice labels! (as the flyer so nicely pointed out). That is if I have filled out those submission forms correctly! Stay tuned, and if I don't win I'll put the recipe here instead.