Share the family’s favorite rice recipe and win a prize
By Dave Edmark
U of A System Division of Agriculture
May 16, 2016
Fast facts:
- Arkansas Rice Expo looking for rice recipes from throughout the state
- Enter by June 17
- Winners to be selected at expo on Aug. 10 in Stuttgart
(375 words)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – If the rice dish you prepare for the family meets their approval then it’s probably worth sharing with the rest of the state. Doing so could win a prize and some recognition at the Arkansas Rice Expo.
The fifth annual Arkansas Rice Expo Recipe Contest is open to everyone in the state. The contest judges will select the top three winners for prizes of $250, $150 and $100 during the Arkansas Rice Expo on Aug. 10 in Stuttgart. The expo is an annual event of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“Rice in any form must be the prominent ingredient in the recipe,” said Dianna Bowen, Lonoke County extension agent who chairs the rice contest committee. “Ingredients should be easily obtained in any local grocery store.”
Those are the only rules for preparing the rice dish. Participants may enter by completing an entry form available online at http://www.uaex.uada.edu/rice-expo and emailing it, along with a copy of the recipe, to Bowen at dbowen@uada.edu. The recipe must be in a standard format including ingredients and measurements in order of use, step-by-step preparation and cooking methods, the number of servings and cost per serving (determined by dividing the total cost of the dish by the number of servings).
Only one entry per person is allowed. Entries must be received by June 17.
The top 10 finalists will be notified by July 11 that they are eligible to present their dishes during the expo at the Grand Prairie Center. The dishes must remain on display throughout the entire day of the expo. Because of food safety practices, expo attendees will not be permitted to sample the dishes.
The top 10 dishes will be judged on palatability and the recipe’s quality. The judges will narrow the field to five, evaluate the dishes’ appearance and interview the finalists about their entries.
“Special consideration will be given to how healthy and nutritious the dish is,” Bowen said.
The top three winners must be present to receive their awards, which will be announced during the expo’s closing activities. The first place winner’s recipe will be highlighted in the 2016 Rice Expo Cookbook.
For more information or a complete list of the rules contact your local County Extension Office.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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