Food & Wine

I have been in deep mourning for essay contests. Now that the world has flipped for Flip (and before that, You-Tube), video contests have replaced so many beautiful writing opportunities. My best wins have been through essays-- the PBS Master Chef series, Red Bicyclette's 25 days in France, Jennie-O, Hungry Man...but thank goodness for Food and Wine. I had a blast with these 50-worders. The art of the short-statement-- vital in this age of declining attention span.

Speaking of attention span, BB's has grown. She's been sick this week, and exhausted Mommy plopped her in front of Baby Einstein, which we watched 3 times yesterday afternoon. Does that make me a terrible parent? Maybe. But it let me enter a contest for the first time in months.

Food and Wine Home Cook Superstar

The Rules: Write five (5) original short essays of fifty (50) words or less each addressing the following topics: (1) your Food Heroes; (2) the most ambitious dish you have prepared;( 3) your perfect entertaining menu; (4) what would you cook for unexpected, last-minute guests; and (5) what kitchen item you think is indispensable and why

Judging Criteria: (i) originality (25%), (ii) how clearly the entrant conveys the topics in line with the Food & Wine point of view (45%), (iii) How often the entrant entertains and how many times a week entrant cooks (5%); (iv) entrant’s active participation with the foodandwine.com community as determined by Sponsor (e.g. endorsements, uploading of content, bookmarking and commenting on recipes, etc.) (10%); and (v) suitability for trade and advertising purposes (15%).

The Prize: One (1) Winner will receive a trip for winner and one (1) guest to the Cayman Cookout hosted by Chef Eric Ripert in the Cayman Islands (“Prize”). Trip is tentatively scheduled for January 15-18, 2010, but is subject to change at the sole discretion of Sponsor. Prize consists of: roundtrip coach air transportation for Winner and one (1) travel companion from and to a major commercial airport in the United States, near the winner’s primary residence, as determined by Sponsor; three (3)-nights hotel accommodations (one double occupancy room and room tax only) at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman; two (2) tickets to the Cayman Cookout (“Event”) and an editorial feature in Food & Wine Magazine. Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of Prize is $4,800 depending on location of Winner and airfare at time of booking.

The Entries: I never know what's legal to post in the contesting world these days. After they announce the winners, I'll release the goods!