Creative Culinary Department Announces Tasty Contests

Spencer, IA – The 2011 Clay County Fair premium books are now available!  Premium books for Creative Culinary, Creative Activities, Horses, Fields & Gardens and Livestock can be picked up at the Clay County Fair Administration Office, downloaded from our website at http://www.claycountyfair.com/agprog/forms.htm or request to have one mailed to you by calling 712-262-4740.

The Clay County Fair is excited to announce new categories for the Creative Culinary department contests. Beef will be featured in two categories: the Clay County Cattlemen’s My Favorite Meatball Contest and the Hearty Beef Stew Contest, will both take place September 13. Nancy Degner of the Iowa Beef Council will give tips and information about cooking beef while judging these beef contests.

Well’s Dairy will sponsor a Blue Bunny Salad Contest, where Blue Bunny ice cream, sherbet or frozen yogurt must be used in the salad while the Clay County Pork Producers will sponsor a pork loin contest with a first place award of $50. A Salsa Contest sponsored by Del’s Garden Center will be judged by fairgoers and features a first place award of $75; all proceeds from the contest will be donated to the American Red Cross of Iowa. Other categories of Dressings Made with Honey sponsored by the Northwest Iowa Beekeepers, Bread Pudding sponsored by C&H Brown Sugar as well as the Bruce Piper Blueberry Pie Contest are new highlights for the Creative Culinary department this year.

The $1000 Cinnamon Roll Contest is here again! Farmers Savings Bank of Fostoria and Milford will sponsor this event on September 12 at 1:00 p.m. Second, third, and seven honorable mention prizes will also be awarded at the event’s eighth annual contest. Five judges will evaluate the rolls based on flavor, texture, appearance, and aroma. The public is encouraged to watch the judging for cooking tips and door prizes to be given away in the air conditioned building. Enter your favorite roll recipe for a chance to win $1000!

An Awesome Appetizer Contest sponsored by Signe Kim Lauridsen-Jones of Okoboji will showcase your best tailgating appetizers. Use the colors of your favorite football teams in hot or cold appetizers to show your team spirit! Three judges will award a $500 first place prize along with second through fifth place prizes. Come watch September 14 at 9:45 a.m. for delicious ideas for the tailgating season.

King Arthur Flour is sponsoring a frosted cupcake contest September 11, for both adult and junior age groups. Decorate cupcakes creatively and use your own recipe to win a $75 gift certificate for adult’s grand prize or $50 gift certificate for the junior grand prize.

The Creative Culinary department will have additional prizes, culinary tips, and samples as well as many other contests this fair. We encourage you to showcase your talents and recipes for canned goods and oven products at the 2011 Clay County Fair!  We encourage you to showcase your creative talents and tasty recipes in the oven products and bring in your jars of canned goods from your garden’s bounty at the 2011 Clay County Fair!

For more information or questions call the Clay County Fair office at 712-262-4740 or Creative Culinary Superintendent, Gayle Simons at 262-7827. Become a fan on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/WorldsGreatestCountyFair, and follow @ClayCountyFair on Twitter.