Diamond Crystal^® Kosher Salt Calls for Entries in Fifth Annual Search for the Seasoned Chef Recipe Contest

Scholarships and Prizes Valued at More Than $9,400 — Its Largest Prize Package Ever

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of its popular Search for the Seasoned Chef Recipe Contest,  Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt announces its call for entries by offering its largest prize package ever, valued at more than $9,400. Chefs-in-training throughout the nation are invited to showcase their cooking abilities and complete for scholarships to further their culinary education. 

Established in 2003, the contest identifies future culinary leaders. Entrants are asked to create and submit their best original recipe using Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt as an ingredient. Applicants may enter recipes in one of three categories: Appetizers, Soups/Stews or Entrees. Entries must be received on or before midnight May 5, 2008. Winning recipes will be selected by a panel of independent judging specialists, food experts, and Cargill and its agents, based on taste and appearance, consumer appeal, creativity and appropriate use of Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt. 

"In the span of five years, the Search for the Seasoned Chef Recipe Contest has identified culinary talent from coast to coast. As we commemorate this milestone, we’re excited to invite more aspiring chefs to flex their culinary muscles and show us how truly creative they can be," says Kari Goldsmith, marketing manager for Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt.

One or more category winners will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship for continuing education at the cooking school of his or her choice. From the category winners, one will be chosen as the grand prize winner and awarded an additional $4,000, for a total scholarship of $5,000. In addition, the grand prize winner will be featured with his or her winning recipe in a full-page advertisement in Sizzle magazine, an estimated maximum published value of $4,495, and will receive one case of Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt.  

The scholarships have helped many aspiring chefs pursue their culinary dreams, including 2007 grand prize and category winner Sara Welch of Jacksonville, Florida. The creator of the best original entrée recipe, Slow-Roasted Pork Spareribs with Peach-Mustard Glaze, Welch won praise for her creative use of Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt to enhance contrasting flavors. "My inspiration for the recipe came from my knowledge of food chemistry and flavor enhancement," she says.  "I was thrilled to win the scholarship and apply it toward my associate of science degree in culinary management at Florida Community College in Jacksonville." 

According to Goldsmith, the contest reaps the added benefit of demonstrating how inventive entrants can be with time-honored ingredients such as kosher salt: "It’s rewarding to see what students can do when given the opportunity to create an original recipe from scratch — they continue to find fresh new ways to use Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt to bring out the natural flavors and textures of their recipes."  

This contest is subject to the Search for the Seasoned Chef 2008 Recipe Contest Official Rules and Regulations. Prospective entrants may request contest information and rules either by sending an e-mail to recipecontest@clynch.com or by leaving a voice mail message on the toll-free contest hotline, (888) 242-2442. E-mail inquiries will generate an immediate reply that will include contest rules and an entry form. Voice mail inquiries will be returned by a contest representative who can answer questions and will send contest information and rules. 

About Diamond Crystal^® Salt

For generations, Diamond Crystal^® salt has signified world-class salt, bringing out the true flavor of fresh food. The extensive line of products includes Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt, a coarse salt renowned among chefs for its exceptional texture, blendability, adherence and pure flavor. Diamond Crystal^® kosher salt and other popular consumer and foodservice products are available at select grocers nationwide, or by calling (888) 385-SALT. For more information, visit us on the Web.

Diamond Crystal^® is a registered trademark of Cargill, Incorporated.

^© 2008 Cargill, Incorporated.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 12th, 2008 at 12:49 am and is filed under Food News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.