Call for Entries: Foster Farms Announces Third Annual Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest Celebrating West Coast Bounty of Locally Grown Foods

LIVINGSTON, Calif., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The West Coast's premier Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest is inviting home, amateur and professional chefs to stir up locally-inspired cooking creativity with the call for entries for the third annual Foster Farms Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest (entries accepted beginning February 29). The winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000 plus a one-year supply of Foster Farms fresh chicken*. The deadline to enter is June 3, 2012 at 11:59:59 p.m. PDT.

Foster Farms is encouraging residents of California, Oregon and Washington to submit their favorite, original, fresh chicken recipes for consideration for a chance at the coveted grand prize. 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 scoring structure will be weighted to reward contestants whose recipes highlight truly fresh and local ingredients. Last year's winner was a home chef and the 2010 winner was a cooking school student whose win helped launch her culinary career.

"We were impressed by the high quality and creativity of the thousands of entries from last year's contest," said Ira Brill, director of marketing services for Foster Farms. "As a longstanding West Coast brand committed to bringing consumers fresh locally grown chicken delivered fresh to their store in 48 hours, we look forward to making this event even bigger and better this year and to inspiring new ways to prepare our locally grown fresh chicken."  Previous semifinalist recipes have highlighted local produce ranging from Washington apples to California avocados to Oregon's marionberries and more highlighting the West Coast bounty at the fingertips of today's food enthusiasts.

Foster Farms will host regional semifinal events in San Diego, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash., in August and September 2012 where contestants will compete for two spots at the Finals event. The contest culminates with the Finals on September 28, 2012 at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, Calif. Entries will be judged by a panel of leading food media and culinary professionals. All events are attended by media and a select number of consumer spectators.

• Fifteen semifinalists – five from each state – will receive $100 and compete in person at regional competitions held at prestigious culinary venues in Seattle (Kathy Casey Food Studios), Portland and San Diego (The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California – San Diego). Six regional winners – two from each state – will receive $1,000.
• The six regional winners will head to the Finals in St. Helena to compete for the grand prize of $10,000 and a one-year* supply of Foster Farms fresh chicken. The six finalists will receive travel and lodging accommodations in the Napa Valley.
• Special "People's' Choice Award" winner will be selected by consumers.

The contest is open to all California, Oregon and Washington residents over the age of 18.

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 email at [email protected] or by mail to Foster Farms, Cooking Contest, P.O. Box 306, Livingston, CA 95334.

About Foster Farms

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 products free of preservatives, additives or injected sodium enhancers. Based in California's Central Valley, with ranches also in the Pacific Northwest, the company's fresh chicken is produced in or near each region served. 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.

Food safety is Foster Farms' highest priority and the company reminds consumers to always follow safe handling, preparation and storage guidelines for the preparation of fresh poultry products. All fresh poultry products should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (boneless and ground) and 180 degrees F and 170 degrees F (bone-in: breast and drums; thighs and wings). Visit www.fosterfarms.com to learn more.

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

SOURCE Foster Farms