It’s time again for the annual Wooden Spoon Cookbook Contest,but this year’s competition has added a new feature.

Due to increased interest, a special Kids Category has beenadded to include the culinary creations of youth in the area.

From appetizers to desserts, youths will be allowed to submitentries in the category. Rules in the Kids Category are the same asfor other entrants. However, contestants must be age 16 and under(no babies please). They can have help with writing the recipe, butonly minimal supervision in preparing the dish (if chosen as afinalist). Youth are asked to specify that they are entering theKids Category when submitting their recipes and entry forms.

This year marks 23 years that the cookbook has given local cooksthe opportunity to share their favorite recipes with people in thecommunity. In past competitions, cooks have come from all walks oflife and showcased their cooking ability.

The contest begins with readers submitting recipes to The DAILYLEADER to be examined by a panel of judges. The recipes are thennarrowed in each category and finalists are notified to preparetheir dish for a tasting. Following the tasting, category winnersare chosen and a grand prize winner, who receives a grand prize of$300, is chosen.

Besides the grand prize of $300, the highest in The DAILY LEADERhistory, the first place winner in each category will receive $50.There are also many gifts that have been graciously provided bylocal merchants to give away to finalists.

There will be drawings for gift certificates, savings bonds,cash and other gifts. These prizes are listed in the Wooden SpoonCookbook contest ad, which is published in Wednesday’s and Sunday’spapers and appears each week up until the deadline on Friday, June2.

The contest is open to everyone in the DAILY LEADER/SOUTHWESTSHOPPING BAG circulation area, except, of course, employees of TheDAILY LEADER and their immediate families. Because there are somany good cooks at The DAILY LEADER, there is an Employee Category.These entries compete for a first place prize but are not eligiblefor the grand prize.

The maximum number of recipes accepted in the contest is 250, sothe earlier you get your recipes in, the better chance you have ofbeing included in the 23rd annual edition.

The winner will be announced at a reception on Thursday, June22, and cookbooks will hit the stands on Friday, June 23. Allrecipes entered in the contest (up to the maximum 250) will beincluded in the cookbook.

Entrants may enter only one recipe in each of the sevencategories. The categories include Appetizers; Soups, Salads andFruits; Main Dish; Vegetables; Desserts and Sweets; Bread andRolls; and For Your Health.

Rules for the contest include:

* Recipe must be typed or legibly written on one side of an 81/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper (no index cards).

* In case of duplicate entries, the entry with the earliestpostmark or date of receipt will be considered.

* List ingredients first, then the method of combining. Includethe amount or number of servings. Avoid using brand nameproducts.

* Each recipe must be accompanied by the coupon or a photo copyof the coupon.

* Late, illegible or incomplete entries will bedisqualified.

Each finalist will be notified and required to prepare theirdish on a specific day and time.