Have fame and fortune eluded you? Rectify this by winning a recipe contest. Recipe contests are for those who relish a challenge, and the willingness to experiment with recipes. Sometimes just tweaking an old favorite will result in a winning combination. Other times, it is the combination of unique ingredients that gives the recipe a certain elan. Whatever your strategy, you will fun along the way even if the only prize is your own sense of accomplishment.

As you peruse recipe contests, look for the contests that suit your style of cooking. Look in your stash of favorite recipes that everyone likes. Read the contest rules carefully. It's like taking a test. What does the professor, or in this case, the contest sponsor, want. Follow the contest rules exactly. An important feature of the recipe you submit is the ease of preparation. Many contests are sponsored by products, and obviously, recipes must include the product as part of the ingredients or equipment. And, again, just like in school, neatness, accurate spelling, and creative formatting all add to the effectiveness of your entry. Start by looking in our "Recipe Contests Resources" section. If you don't win the first contest you enter, don't give up. Keep trying out new ideas and combinations of food you enjoy. Have fun with recipe contests, and maybe win a prize along the way.