Winners will compete at the cook-off on Saturday, October 20th in Leonardtown in conjunction with St. Mary's County Oyster Festival
ANNAPOLIS - Do you have a fabulous oyster recipe? Do you receive rave reviews whenever you serve it? If so, enter your best original oyster recipe in the National Oyster Cook-off. If you win, you may be awarded $1,300 and a silver tray. Be sure to enter your original recipe by August 1, 2007. You may be selected as one of nine contestants to compete at the cook-off on Saturday, October 20th in Leonardtown, Md.
"Preparing and eating oysters are time-honored traditions in Maryland," said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. "We encourage Marylanders and others from far and wide to share their favorite oyster dishes by entering the National Oyster Cook-Off this year."
Cash Prizes of $300, $200 and $150 will be awarded to the top three finalists in each of the three categories: Hors d'oeuvres, Soups and Stews, and Main Dish. The Grand Prize Winner will be selected from the first place winners of each category and will receive an additional $1,000 and a silver tray. There will also be awards for Best Presentation of dish and People's Choice.
In addition to cash prizes, contestants receive hotel accommodations, and an invitation to a welcome reception and the National Oyster Cook-off Celebration dinner. Entrants selected as one of the top 10 in a category, it will have their recipe printed in the annual cookbook and will receive a free cookbook and a certificate.
Last year's winners were: Grand Prize and Hors d'oeuvres division - Jack Campbell of Clackamas, Oregon for his Frico oyster cups; Main Dish division - Elizabeth Bennett of Mill Creek, WA for her Southwest oyster Quesadillas; Soups and Stews division - Brian Boston from Sparks, Maryland for his Smoked Tomato, corn and oyster stew.
The National Oyster Cook-off is held in conjunction with the St. Mary's County Oyster Festival and the world-famous National Oyster Shucking Contest. The Cook-off is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Seafood Marketing Program, St. Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development and the Rotary Club of St. Mary's (Lexington Park).
To enter, see the contest rules at http://www.marylandseafood.org or request a hard copy by calling 410-841-5820. To see more than 30 previous award-winning recipes, send away now for the 27th Annual Cookbook. Send a check for $ 6.00, payable to the National Oyster Cook-off Cookbook to: National Oyster Cook-off Cookbook, Department of Economic and Community Development, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.