Announcing AllSpice Cooking Contests at the 2021 Iowa State Fair

The 2021 Iowa State Fair is just over 40 days away. If you haven't already, it's time to begin thinking about entering AllSpice-sponsored cooking contests. 

Each year we receive dozens of entries, each full of creativity and flavor. It's a blast for us to judge, although it's always hard to choose winners. 

Do these look like the stone-cold faces of hardcore judges?!?

We'll be sponsoring six different contests this year - some with multiple classes. Read on for a quick run-down of each, including rules and prizes.

AllSpice Snack Mix Contest

This contest is for snackin' - and it features two classes: Savory Snack Mixes and Sweet Snack Mixes. Creativity is king, making up 50% of how the contest will be judged. Taste (at 30%) and "addictiveness" (at 20%) are the other factors considered by the judges.

Here are the rules:

• This is a creative snack mix or party mix using, but not limited to, crackers, cereal, pretzels, and pre-packaged snacks
• Entries must use a combination of AllSpice Culinarium products in the recipe, and include a receipt as proof of purchase
• Any recipes directly copied from the AllSpice website will be disqualified
• You must include your recipe with your entry

Prizes:

Everyone's a winner! Every entrant will receive an AllSpice product for participating. First place in each class will receive a $50 cash award. Second place in each class will receive a $25 AllSpice Gift Certificate, and third place in each class will receive a $10 AllSpice Gift Certificate.

AllSpice Unique Cookie Contest

We love a good cookie (and our figures show it)! In this contest, we're looking for a unique and delicious spiced or olive oil cookie. You'll want to channel your creativity because judging will be 40% based on uniqueness. Taste (at 30%), texture (at 15%), and appearance (at 15%) make up the other factors judges will use.

Here are the rules:

• Entries must use a combination of AllSpice Culinarium products in the recipe, and include a receipt as proof of purchase
• Any recipes directly copied from the AllSpice website will be disqualified
• You must include your recipe with your entry

Prizes

Everyone's a winner! Every entrant will receive an AllSpice product for participating. First place will receive a $100 cash award. Second place will receive a $50 AllSpice Gift Certificate, and third place will receive a $25 AllSpice Gift Certificate.

AllSpice Ice Cream Contest

August is the hottest month of the year for Iowa, so you'd better bet we'll have an ice cream contest! In this contest, we'll be looking for a delicious and interesting spiced or olive oil ice cream. Like the other contests, creativity leads, making up 30% of the judging criteria. Other criteria include taste (at 30%), mouthfeel (at 20% and mostly because we like the word), and balance of flavors (at 20%).

Here are the rules:

• Entries must feature an AllSpice Culinarium product or products, and include a receipt as proof of purchase
• Any recipes directly copied from the AllSpice website will be disqualified
• You must include your recipe with your entry

Prizes

Everyone's a winner! Every entrant will receive an AllSpice product for participating. First place will receive a $100 cash award. Second place will receive a $50 AllSpice Gift Certificate, and third place will receive a $25 AllSpice Gift Certificate.

AllSpice Jerky Contest

Beef jerky is what this contest is all about. The judges will be looking for a creative (40% of the judging criteria) and tasty (35% of the judging criteria) beef jerky with perfect texture (25% of the judging criteria). 

Here are the rules:

• Entries must use a combination of AllSpice Culinarium product(s), and include a receipt as proof of purchase
• Curing salts like Prague Powder or sodium nitrate aren't allowed for the safety of the judges
• Any recipes directly copied from the AllSpice website will be disqualified
• You must include your recipe with your entry, which should include marinating time and dehydration method and time

Prizes

Everyone's a winner! Every entrant will receive an AllSpice product for participating. First place will receive a $75 cash award. Second place will receive a $50 AllSpice Gift Certificate, and third place will receive a $25 AllSpice Gift Certificate.

AllSpice Chili Contest

We're always looking for new twists on an AllSpice favorite - chili! This contest features two classes - regular chili and vegetarian chili. Both classes will be judged on creativity (at 40%), taste (at 30%), and balance of flavor and heat (at 30% - you can't just burn us up!).

Here are the rules:

• Entries must use a combination of AllSpice Culinarium product(s) to create a unique chili or traditional red chili, and include a receipt as proof of purchase
• Any recipes directly copied from the AllSpice website will be disqualified

Prizes

Everyone's a winner! Every entrant will receive an AllSpice product for participating. First place in each class will receive a $75 cash award. Second place in each class will receive a $50 AllSpice Gift Certificate, and third place in each class will receive a $25 AllSpice Gift Certificate.

Find the official rules on the Iowa State Fair website (once contests are officially announced in July). If you're a local (or willing to visit in August), we hope you'll consider entering a contest or two!