Pawpaw Cookoff
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012
1:30 p.m.
Registration is from 10:30 am until 1:00 pm on Sunday in the pop-up tent just outside of the Pawpaw Tent; to compete in the cook-off, please have three samples available for judging by 12:45 pm.
First-place winners in each category will receive a plaque and cash prize of $100. Second- and third-place winners in each category will receive a cash prize of $75 and $50 respectively, as well as a plaque.
Each contestant must also submit a copy of his or her recipe complete with title, all ingredients used to prepare the entry and complete preparation instructions. Click here to download an entry form.
Entries without these important details will be disqualified. All vendors at the Ohio Pawpaw Festival are required to have at least one entry in the pawpaw cook-off. Entrants in the Sauces/Condiments category are encouraged to provide a small sample containing just the sauce to be judged when they enter the sample served in combination with other foods.
This year's categories are:
- Sauces/Condiments
- Beverages (including alcoholic drinks)
- Sweets/Desserts
- Savories (including entrees, breads, appetizers and salads)
Entries will be scored from 1 - 5 for the following. Those with the highest points win the prizes!
- Appearance: How does this dish look? Is this an appealing presentation?
- Originality: Is this an exceptionally inventive dish? Did this take some culinary skill to come up with? Or is it a twist on a traditional favorite?
- Pawpaw Flavor: Is the pawpaw flavor barely detectable? Is it overwhelming? Or is it just right?
- Overall Flavor: How does it taste overall? Is it mouthwatering and enjoyable or is something just not working?
Food Safety
Please make sure that you are using RIPE pawpaw to prepare your dishes! Unripe pawpaws can create stomach upset. Ripe pawpaws are soft with a yellow skin that may be bruised.
Those entering food products containing milk, eggs, mayonnaise, or other ingredients that create a risk for food-borne illness (e.g., puddings, cream pies, creamed sauces, etc.) must provide a cooler and ice to keep their entry safe for the judges. Judges will decline to taste food products that they believe may be unsafe.) If you have questions about what foods may be considered unsafe, please contact Michelle Wasserman at michelle.wasserman@casanueva.com.