COOPERSTOWN, NY - Join the all new PumpkinFest Culinary Contest!

Turn your Autumn pumpkin and squash harvest (though you do not need to have a garden to get involved) into a creative and visually appealing concoction that will amaze and delight visitors to the PumpkinFest. This informal contest, reminiscent of cook offs of yesteryear, but with a twist, is designed to be as much a spectator event as it is a showcase of culinary talent. No experience needed but uniqueness encouraged...nothing is too outrageous and creativity is the key ingredient.

You can count on a fun & entertaining event with great tasting entries. Anyone anywhere may participate...individuals, businesses and organizations. All recipes will be compiled (to include your name and representation) and available to the public (see below). There are two ways to participate...submit a recipe (follow guidelines below) or submit a recipe with your food entry for the contest...see below!

How to Enter:

Recipes due by 5pm on 9/21 by Email to susan@cooperstownchamber.org

Please put 'RECIPE' in subject line.

Recipes will be used in a publication for sale throughout PumpkinFest and afterwards at the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce offices.

Recipe Format: (you can copy and paste the format information directly into your e-mail)

Name of Recipe

Submitted by (your name or business or organization):

Community (name of community where you reside, business or organization is located ):

Ingredients & quantity (must include pumpkin or squash)

Preparation Instructions

# servings (approximate)

General comment(s) - how to serve, funny antidotes or whatever!!!

For office use only, please include your phone number and email address.

For Judging: Complete culinary entry/entries must be delivered to Doubleday Field Parking Lot in Cooperstown. You may drop items off by car at Doubleday parking lot between 7:30am and 9am OR 9am-10:30am by walk up only). Judging is from 11am and noon, public viewing encouraged throughout the event.

Entries will be judged by category, and points awarded, based on the following: Overall Appeal (5), Visual Appearance (5), Taste (5), and Fall Theme Presentation/Creativity (15). Non food items may be used to embellish your entry.

Recognitions: All participants will receive a PumpkinFest Culinary Certificate and most favored, as selected by our judges, will receive a special prize. Judges selections will be announced at approximately 12pm.

Note: Food becomes property of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce. Please clearly label any items to be returned. All items not picked up at the PumpkinFest site on Saturday (3pm) will be available at our offices, 31 Chestnut Street, for one week starting Sunday at 9am.