Call for Entries: Foster Farms Announces Second Annual Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest

LIVINGSTON, Calif., Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Coast's premier Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest is inviting home, amateur and professional chefs to stir up some cooking creativity with its call for entries for the second annual Foster Farms Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest.  The winning contestant will receive a grand prize of $10,000 plus a one-year supply of Foster Farms fresh chicken*.  Hot off the heels of its successful first-ever Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest, Foster Farms is encouraging residents of California, Oregon and Washington to submit their favorite, original chicken recipes for consideration.  Recipes must feature Foster Farms fresh chicken and should be inspired by fresh ingredients grown on the West Coast as a testament to Foster Farms' commitment to foods that are fresh, locally-grown and always natural.  The deadline to enter is May 31, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m. PDT and the contest will culminate with finals held on September 30 at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, Calif., during National Chicken Month.  

"We hope to build on the success of last year's contest which drew thousands of entries ranging from time-tested multi-generational recipes to brand new creations," said Ira Brill, Director of Marketing and Advertising Services for Foster Farms.  "As a longstanding West Coast brand committed to bringing consumers fresh chicken grown close to home and delivered fresh to their store in 48 hours or less, Foster Farms is pleased that this contest inspires so many to find new and creative ways to prepare our locally-grown fresh chicken.  Our contest is a celebration of the West Coast bounty and all of the fresh produce and foods we are lucky to have at our fingertips."  

Foster Farms will host regional semifinal events in San Diego, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash., in August 2011 culminating with The Final Cook-off September 30 at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, Calif.

• Fifteen semifinalists - five from each state - will receive $100 and compete in person at regional competitions held in Seattle, Portland and San Diego.  Six regional winners - two from each state - will receive $1,000.
• The six regional winners will head to The Final Cook-off in St. Helena to compete for the grand prize of $10,000 and a one-year* supply of fresh Foster Farms chicken.  The six finalists will receive travel and lodging accommodations in the Napa Valley.
• A special prize will be awarded to the contestant with the best use of fresh, local ingredients (last year's winning recipe highlighted fresh spinach and dill).

The contest is open to all California, Oregon and Washington residents over the age of 18.  Entries will be judged by a panel of leading food media and culinary professionals.  Contestants are encouraged to submit their unique chicken recipes featuring Foster Farms fresh chicken and emphasizing fresh, local ingredients.  The scoring structure will be weighted to reward contestants whose recipes highlight truly fresh and local ingredients.

For complete contest rules please visit www.fosterfarms.com/cookingcontest.  No previous grand prize winners of the Foster Farms Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest are eligible to participate.  Entries can be submitted online at www.fosterfarms.com/cookingcontest, by e-mail at [email protected] or by mail to Foster Farms, Cooking Contest, P.O. Box 306, Livingston, CA 95334.

About Foster Farms

Since 1939, West Coast families have depended on Foster Farms for premium quality chicken and turkey products.  Family-owned and operated, the company continues its legacy of excellence and commitment to quality established by its founders, Max and Verda Foster.  Foster Farms specializes in fresh, all natural chicken and turkey products free of preservatives, additives or injected sodium enhancers.  Based in California's Central Valley, with partnerships with 32 independent family-owned farms in Oregon and Washington, the company's fresh chicken and turkey are produced in or near each region served and delivered fresh to the store in 48 hours or less.  Foster Farms also produces delicious pre-marinated, ready-to-cook and fully cooked products that meet the quality and convenience needs of today's home cooks, retailers, warehouse clubs and foodservice customers.  The company's commitment to excellence, honesty, quality, service, and people is a source of great pride, and, a longtime family tradition.

* Winner will receive 104 $10 vouchers good for fresh Foster Farms chicken.

SOURCE Foster Farms