I’m dancing. I’m twirling, I’m doing back flips and head stands! Well, the latter two, if I could! I’ve been selected as the Eastern Region Finalist in the 2013 Dole Cook-Off. Now this is not a bush league contest~~it’s highly competitive, rigorous and the guidelines for the recipe creations are a challenge!
Yes, you had to use a DOLE® product. The recipe could include only seven ingredients, and it must be prepped and cooked in sixty minutes. Plus, it all be had to be done on an outdoor grill. Throw all those requirements together and you’ve got yourself a showdown! The judging criteria is specific too, and I spent a lot of time cogitating on these rules and guidelines:
Judges will judge and rate each Finalist Recipe according to the following Criteria: (1) Best Use of DOLE® Product(s) – 40%, (2) Creativity/Ease of Preparation/Presentation – 30%, and (3) Flavor and Taste – 30%. So you might ask, who does the judging? Well, according to the fine print~~ The Finalists’ recipes will be judged by a panel of four (4) Round Two Contest Judges (“Round Two Judges”) consisting of Chef Ben Ford, two other qualified Round Two Judges selected by DOLE®, and the “DOLE® Fan Judge”/Sweepstakes.
For me, creating a winning recipe goes in phases and stages. It doesn’t happen in my kitchen; it usually happens at the most unlikely times, like when I’m in a yoga class, driving, lying in bed and my mind is racing, putting on make-up, doing laundry or grocery shopping. The mind is a marvelous thing. It just seems to re-run, for me, these ‘reels’ and after a while elusive thoughts start coming together. Actually, for weeks before I even start bringing together a recipe, I’m thinking, thinking and thinking. I’m mentally cataloging ideas (no I don’t write them down), I’m visualizing colors, ingredients, how the recipe is cooked, utensils I’m using, pots, pans, garnishes, plating. I’m tasting with my mind’s eye as I’m layering flavors on my palate. It’s all crazy, but that’s how my mind works! And, that’s how I approach each and every contest I’ve ever entered.
If you’re in the neck o’ the woods of Santa Monica Place, CA on June 29, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m…stop by, and watch me prepare my dish!
Read more at http://www.allyskitchen.com/
Cheering and praying for your keen grace and competitor’s spirit to arry you through to victory ! xxoo
Congrats!! Good-Luck!!
Awesome!!! Congratulations Sweet lady!!!
Ally,
Again, I’m so happy for you winning the most prestigious DOLE contest! I have to say, that of all my cooking friends I’ve actually talked to and/or read posts about their cooking, yours is spot on the way I also formulate my recipes! It’s all done In-House first (in the mind!) so to speak. Notepads everywhere I go! On the night stand? CHECK. Grocery store? (write thoughts on back of grocery list) CHECK! By the makeup mirror? CHECK. In the car? VOICE MEMOS! Inspiration strikes at odd moments, and if we pay attention, we’ll come up with that winner for sure!