GET ON "CHOPPED", OR WIN OTHER COOKING CONTESTS

If you've been watching this Blog, you already know that while I'm absolutely hooked on cooking programs, there's no way I'd have the courage to cook in that type of setting. But what about you? Do have what it takes to cook gourmet goodies under a tight schedule, and do friends rave about your culinary chops?  If so, why not try out for either Chopped as a Professional or Amateur Chef, or even though you missed this year's deadline, Top Chef. http://www.topchefcasting.com/ http://www.choppedcasting.com/ Meanwhile, if you prefer to show off your skills without sweating in front of millions of people, here are a few contests to enter where your cooking skills may earn you a lot of cool cash. http://www.topchefcasting.com/ http://www.choppedcasting.com/ CHOPPED AT HOME CHALLENGE DEADLINE	April 27, 2015
DESCRIPTION	Create an original dish using all the basket ingredients, just like you've seen on television! Submit a picture of your dish, a description of how it was prepared and how the basket ingredients were used. The actual recipe is not requested. Don’t forget to include the required Sargento® cheese packaging in your photo. This is the second of a series of three contest periods with the same challenge, but using different ingredients. The required ingredients in this period are: Sargento® Off the Block 4 Cheese Mexican, Boneless chicken tenders, Couscous, and Salsa. One Finalist will be chosen from this period to compete in the final Cook-off in New York City in July or August, 2015.
ELIGIBILITY	Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and DC (excluding MD and ND) who are 21 or older.
PRIZES	20 Semi-Finalist Prizes: Assorted cheeses from Sargento® (Worth $75). 4 Finalist Trip Prizes: A trip for 2 to New York City. Includes airfare to New York, New York; 3 days/2 nights hotel accommodations, and round trip airport transfers to/from hotel (Worth $5,000). Grand Prize: $10,000 (awarded as a check). These are the total prizes for all 3 entry periods.
DETAILS	Click here for contest information and rules.
	2015 GREAT GARLIC FESTIVAL RECIPE CONTEST DEADLINE May 1, 2015 DESCRIPTION Enter a recipe that specifies the use of at least 6 cloves of fresh garlic, or the equivalent packaged form (three teaspoons minced or chopped). Keep the title of your recipe under 10 words, and include a picture with the entry. This is a contest where elaborate, multi-part dishes — and even a side dish — seem to be welcomed, as long as you can meet the time limits! If you are one of the 8 Finalists chosen to participate in the Cook-off on July 25, 2015, you will be expected to prepare seven separate plates, all within two hours. Five plates will be for the judges, one plate for the emcees, and one plate will be used for presentation to the judges and  media purposes. ELIGIBILITY Open to legal residents of Canada and United States who are 21 or older. Previous first, second, and third place winners must sit out three years before re-entering. PRIZES First Prize: $5,000. Second Prize: $2,500. Third Prize: $1,000. 5 Finalist Prizes (remaining finalists): $100. All finalists traveling over 100 miles will be provided with hotel accommodations, one room for two nights in Gilroy. Finalists must make their own travel arrangements, but if warranted, these travel costs will be reimbursed: one coach class ticket for air travel and/or a rental car for a maximum of two days, not to exceed $55 per day. Maximum reimbursement per contestant shall not exceed $600. DETAILS Click here for contest information and rules. Thanks to the Food Network and Bravo Channels.