Cooking Up a “Blue Ribbon” October

As I get older I am starting to sound more and more like my mother. I used to tell myself I would never turn into her but as I realize that it is just inevitable so I will embrace it. She would say things like “If you are bored, I will find something for you to do.” That usually meant folding laundry or vacuuming so I seldom found myself bored or at least did not complain about it. So when I say things like “Last month sure seemed to fly by faster than it used to” I know I have turned into my mother because I understand exactly what she meant.

 

Fifteen years ago my sister and I started entering these State Fair Special Culinary contests. They are usually sponsored by companies like Ghirardelli chocolate or Karo Syrup and this year one of our local grocery stores also sponsored four contests for grocery gift cards. (Always a good thing) The first year I won third place in the C&H contest and I was hooked. We have entered every year since then and about five years ago my husband retired and joined us in the competition. The first year he was a little hesitant but he quickly learned and taught us the importance of presentation. I still remember him bringing home these little dolls he bought because they were “in scale” for the carousel he was making for his Monti Cristo sandwiches. He won first place and my laughter stopped. Now we spend as much time plating and presentation as we do in the preparation of our recipes. This year had to be the best year he has ever had and he earned four 1^st place ribbons. He also won a 2^nd place ribbon in the coveted Spam contest. I only won two 1^st place ribbons and did not place in Spam so I will try again next year. So let the cooking continue and please try to remember not to run with scissors or go to bed with your hair wet or you will catch a cold. See mom, I remembered!