Arkansas RiceExpo 2015Recipe Contest

August 7, 2015

An official event of the Arkansas Rice Expo

Sponsored by: Producers Rice Mill Inc. and Specialty Rice Inc.

Prizes Awarded For

1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners

Contest Objectives:

  • To promote the healthy attributes of cooking with rice.
  • To encourage safe food handling skills.
  • To showcase the rice industry.
  • To advance cooking skills.

Arkansas Rice Expo 2015 Recipe Contest Rules:

  1. The Rice Recipe Contestis an official event of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension Arkansas Rice Expo.
  1. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
  1. The immediate year’s state winner is not eligible to enter the following year. Example: the 2014 State Recipe Contest Winner is not eligible to enter the 2015 State contest. Employees of the U of A Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service are not eligible to enter the contest.
  1. Anyone residing in the State of Arkansas is eligible. (There is no limit to the number of entries per county, only one entry per person.)
  1. Rice in any form must be the prominent ingredient in the recipe. Ingredients should be easily obtained in any local grocery store.
  1. Each contestant should submit a completed electronic entry form, an electronic copy of their recipe, as well as a hard copy of the entry form and three (3) typed 8 ½ x11 copies of their recipe for the judges. The recipe should be:
  2. standard format including the ingredients with measurements in order of use
  3. step-by-step preparation and cooking methods
  4. number of servings
  5. cost per serving (Example: Total cost of dish divided by number of servings = cost per serving)
  1. Mail entry forms to: Dianna Bowen, Lonoke County P O Box 357, Lonoke, AR 72086. Electronic copies should be sent to . Entries must be received by June 12, 2015.
  1. Each entry will be reviewed by the Rice Expo Recipe Committee and the top 10 will be selected for presentation on August 7, 2015. The top 10 contestants will be notified by July 1, 2015.
  1. Prepared rice dishes will be checked-in between 8:30 a.m.and 9:00a.m. August 7, 2015at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart. Contestants will be provided a 2’x2’ table area to create a display of their choice that may include items such as decorative linens, floral arrangements, service dishes, etc. for the presentation of their dish.
  1. Dishes must remain on display throughout the Rice Expo. Because of food safety issue, there will NOT be any sampling of the dishes by Expo attendees.
  1. Food must be received at safe temperatures. Please refer to the below mentioned food safety publication. Dishes maybe reheated after arriving and before judging. Temperature will be monitored at check-in to assure safe food handling. If food is not received at the correct temperature, points will be lost under palatability because judges will not be able to taste the dish. For additional information on Safe Food Handling Practices and correct temperatures contact your local County Extension Agent – FCS or refer to the Extension Publication FSFCS82 A Quick Consumer Guide to Safe Food Handling which can be accessed via the internet from uaex.edu. From the homepage (uaex.edu) enter FSFCS82 into the “search this site” box in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage and click “go”. Then click A Quick Consumers Guide to Safe Food Handling. You can then read and or print the fact sheet.
  1. The top 10 entries will be judged on the basis of the recipe and the taste of the dish.
  1. The top 5 entries will move onto the finals. These dishes will be judged on the appearance of the dish and the finalist will be interviewed by the panel of judges. The finalist will be asked a series of questions about the ingredients and preparation of their dish. Special consideration will be given to how healthy and nutritious the dish is. The decision of the judges is final.
  1. The winners will be announced in the Grand Prairie Centerduring the closing activities.
  1. Winners must be present at the awards presentation to receive prizes. Winners who fail to appear at the presentation will automatically forfeit all awards.
  1. Prizes will be given for the first $ 200.00, second $ 150.00 and third$ 100.00 place winners.
  1. The first place winner’s recipe will be highlighted in the 2016 Rice Expo Cookbook.
  1. Dishes must be picked up immediately after the close of the Expo on August 7, 2015.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.