Last Call for Entries: Deadline May 31 to Compete for $10,000 Prize in Foster Farms' Second Annual Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest

LIVINGSTON, Calif., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Foster Farms announces the last call for entries for its 2011 Foster Farms Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest. The West Coast's premier Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest invites home, amateur and professional chefs residing in California, Oregon and Washington to submit their prized, original chicken recipes featuring fresh chicken and locally-inspired ingredients for consideration. The winning contestant will receive a grand prize of $10,000 plus a one-year supply of Foster Farms fresh chicken*. 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, always natural and delivered to the store in 48 hours or less. 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.  

"The contest provides a great opportunity to highlight the fresh, natural, locally grown and seasonal foods of our region and inspire people to create new recipes or add a unique twist on a time-tested family favorite," said Ira Brill, Director of Marketing and Advertising Services for Foster Farms. "We've received many promising recipes so far and hope to encourage West Coast chefs and home cooks alike to pull out all stops and submit even more entries to make this our most successful contest yet." The contest has opened doors for culinary enthusiasts, noted Brill. "Last year's grand prize winner, Alexandria Boswell, used the contest as a springboard for her culinary career, starting a catering company and completing her culinary externship at one of San Francisco's top restaurants." The contest also inspired other finalists to enroll in culinary school, he said.

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 Foster Farms fresh chicken. The six finalists will receive travel and lodging accommodations in the Napa Valley compliments of Foster Farms.
• A special prize will be awarded to the contestant who best uses 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 email 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, and partnering with 32 independent Pacific Northwest family-owned farms to serve residents of 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 toward the purchase of Foster Farms chicken products.

SOURCE Foster Farms