Nothing signals the end of summer like the start of the Great New York State Fair. We are lucky that we live so close; many people make the trek to the fairgrounds on more than one day. It's impossible to see everything that the fair has to offer in just one day; it's probably impossible to see everything even if you went to the fair on all 12 days!
You'll find all kinds of food at the state fair. Some people diet for weeks before the fair, waiting to gorge themselves on sausage, peppers and onions, caramel apples, fresh squeezed lemonade, and the ever-popular walk away sundae.
The culinary competitions at the fair are a time-honored tradition. Amateur chefs (from all over New York) prepare their best cakes, pies, cookies, casseroles and pickles in order to be judged as "best" in the Empire state.
A new twist to the traditional culinary competitions is the "Special Competitions," usually sponsored by a national food company. These companies across the country host competitions, frequently at state fairs. People use their products to create a delicious new recipe. Winners get a cash prize and often a chance to enter the national grand prize competition, where the money to be won is significantly greater.
The recipes that are submitted become the property of the sponsoring companies, so it's a new source of recipes for these companies. Often in grocery store checkout lines you'll see the small recipe books for sale, filled with these prize winning recipes from these competitions.
On the state fair Web site, (www.nysfair.org), you'll find pages and pages of instructions for people interested in participating in these contests. (The deadline for entering was July 18 this year.)
The first day's competition is sponsored by the National Pork Board. Cooks submit their original recipe using any cut of pork (but no bacon, ham or sausage) along with no more than five other ingredients (salt, pepper, water and cooking spray do not count as ingredients). First place gets a prize of $150.
On day two, the Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust Contest takes place. Contestants must use two crusts (either the new rolled or original folded) and a fruit filling. The winner gets $200 and a chance to win the $1,000 grand prize in the national competition. Pies are judged on taste, appearance, creativity and ease of preparation.
Saturday, Aug. 27 is the Fleischmann's Yeast Dynamic Duo Baking Contest. Cooks must use Fleischmann's Yeast and a product from Argo, Karo, Tones or Spice Islands. They may enter as a single entrant or as an adult/child duo. The adult entrant winner receives $120 and the adult/child duo winner gets $150. Each of the winners are eligible for the national competition, where the grand prizes are $1,000 and $500 respectively.
Although it is not part of the Special Competitions, a fun culinary competition is being held for the younger crowd. Sunday, Aug. 28 is the Tailgate Treats Contest for anyone under 16. Local football coaches will judge recipes in the categories of soups, sandwiches, chili and hors d'eouvres.
The KC Masterpiece Meals Contest is Monday, Aug. 29. Entrants can create an appetizer, baked main dish, side dish or other creation. Recipes must contain meat, poultry, fish or other seafood as well as one half cup or more of KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce in any variety. The winning recipe is worth $150.
Bakers will enjoy the next two contests. Hershey's Adult Chocolate Dessert Contest takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The use of at least 1/4 cup of Hershey's Cocoa is required and the winner gets $500. A separate kids' competition for ages 8 to 18 will be held as well. In the Kids' Cookie/Brownie/Bar Contest, kids must use 1/4 cup of any Hershey's baking chips product. The display instructions for many of these contests are very specific; in this competition, they must display a plate of six cookies, brownies or bar cookies on a doily covered cardboard. The winning recipe earns $250.
Ghiardelli's Chocolate Championship is scheduled for Aug. 31. This one is simpler; recipes must use any Ghiardelli baking product and no more than 10 other ingredients and the winner gets $150.
Saturday, Sept. 3, the Hidden Valley Family Friendly Food Contest will be held. Entrants can choose to make an appetizer, stew, stir-fry, casserole or vegetable pasta. The recipe must contain one packet of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix. The goal is to make something that the entire family will enjoy and the best recipe earns $200.
The Best Spam Recipe is being sought on Sept. 4. (My dad should enter that one!) The instructions require the use of a 12-ounce can of Spam, along with no more than 10 other ingredients and preparation must take no longer than 30 minutes to cook, excluding prep time. The winner gets $150.
The Culinary Competitions take place in the McNeil and Co. Art and Home Center. The Food Demonstration Kitchen in the Art and Home Center will also present live cooking demonstrations called "Recipes Through the Decades" with daily shows at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2, 3:30, 5, and 7 p.m. You can see chefs preparing their specialties and get some great ideas and recipes for your family.
Whatever you're interested in, you're sure to find it at the New York State Fair; just remember to pace yourself, wear comfortable shoes and bring your appetite.
Fans of Food Network Chef Giada De Laurentiis will be able to see her live at the Turning Stone Resort Casino at their Feast of San Gennaro on Saturday, Sept. 17, in the Event Center. Her live cooking show is scheduled for 1:30 to 3 p.m.; call 1 (800) 771-7711 or go to www.turningstone.com for more information.
The culinary competitions at the fair are a time-honored tradition. Amateur chefs (from all over New York) prepare their best cakes, pies, cookies, casseroles and pickles in order to be judged as "best" in the Empire state.
A new twist to the traditional culinary competitions is the "Special Competitions," usually sponsored by a national food company. These companies across the country host competitions, frequently at state fairs. People use their products to create a delicious new recipe. Winners get a cash prize and often a chance to enter the national grand prize competition, where the money to be won is significantly greater.
The recipes that are submitted become the property of the sponsoring companies, so it's a new source of recipes for these companies. Often in grocery store checkout lines you'll see the small recipe books for sale, filled with these prize winning recipes from these competitions.
On the state fair Web site, (www.nysfair.org), you'll find pages and pages of instructions for people interested in participating in these contests. (The deadline for entering was July 18 this year.)
The first day's competition is sponsored by the National Pork Board. Cooks submit their original recipe using any cut of pork (but no bacon, ham or sausage) along with no more than five other ingredients (salt, pepper, water and cooking spray do not count as ingredients). First place gets a prize of $150.
On day two, the Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust Contest takes place. Contestants must use two crusts (either the new rolled or original folded) and a fruit filling. The winner gets $200 and a chance to win the $1,000 grand prize in the national competition. Pies are judged on taste, appearance, creativity and ease of preparation.
Saturday, Aug. 27 is the Fleischmann's Yeast Dynamic Duo Baking Contest. Cooks must use Fleischmann's Yeast and a product from Argo, Karo, Tones or Spice Islands. They may enter as a single entrant or as an adult/child duo. The adult entrant winner receives $120 and the adult/child duo winner gets $150. Each of the winners are eligible for the national competition, where the grand prizes are $1,000 and $500 respectively.
Although it is not part of the Special Competitions, a fun culinary competition is being held for the younger crowd. Sunday, Aug. 28 is the Tailgate Treats Contest for anyone under 16. Local football coaches will judge recipes in the categories of soups, sandwiches, chili and hors d'eouvres.
The KC Masterpiece Meals Contest is Monday, Aug. 29. Entrants can create an appetizer, baked main dish, side dish or other creation. Recipes must contain meat, poultry, fish or other seafood as well as one half cup or more of KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce in any variety. The winning recipe is worth $150.
Bakers will enjoy the next two contests. Hershey's Adult Chocolate Dessert Contest takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The use of at least 1/4 cup of Hershey's Cocoa is required and the winner gets $500. A separate kids' competition for ages 8 to 18 will be held as well. In the Kids' Cookie/Brownie/Bar Contest, kids must use 1/4 cup of any Hershey's baking chips product. The display instructions for many of these contests are very specific; in this competition, they must display a plate of six cookies, brownies or bar cookies on a doily covered cardboard. The winning recipe earns $250.
Ghiardelli's Chocolate Championship is scheduled for Aug. 31. This one is simpler; recipes must use any Ghiardelli baking product and no more than 10 other ingredients and the winner gets $150.
Saturday, Sept. 3, the Hidden Valley Family Friendly Food Contest will be held. Entrants can choose to make an appetizer, stew, stir-fry, casserole or vegetable pasta. The recipe must contain one packet of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix. The goal is to make something that the entire family will enjoy and the best recipe earns $200.
The Best Spam Recipe is being sought on Sept. 4. (My dad should enter that one!) The instructions require the use of a 12-ounce can of Spam, along with no more than 10 other ingredients and preparation must take no longer than 30 minutes to cook, excluding prep time. The winner gets $150.
The Culinary Competitions take place in the McNeil and Co. Art and Home Center. The Food Demonstration Kitchen in the Art and Home Center will also present live cooking demonstrations called "Recipes Through the Decades" with daily shows at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2, 3:30, 5, and 7 p.m. You can see chefs preparing their specialties and get some great ideas and recipes for your family.
Whatever you're interested in, you're sure to find it at the New York State Fair; just remember to pace yourself, wear comfortable shoes and bring your appetite.
Fans of Food Network Chef Giada De Laurentiis will be able to see her live at the Turning Stone Resort Casino at their Feast of San Gennaro on Saturday, Sept. 17, in the Event Center. Her live cooking show is scheduled for 1:30 to 3 p.m.; call 1 (800) 771-7711 or go to www.turningstone.com for more information.
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