California Strawberry Festival

Berry Blast-Off Rules

Recipes for the annual California Strawberry Festival Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest must be original and specify the use of strawberries without baking in the preparation (use of grill, fryer, stove- top permitted). Recipes must serve six (6) and must be able to be prepared and presented within 60 minutes. The recipe contest encourages the use of strawberries as a key ingredient and fresh ingredients where appropriate. No restriction on what type of strawberry recipe: (sauce, dessert, main course, dip, drink, jam, spread, appetizer, snack, etc.)

Contestants may enter as many recipes as they wish, one entry per envelope or Internet transmission. Each entry must be typewritten, or hand-printed legibly, in recipe format; listing ingredients in order of use with amount/quantity, followed by step-by-step method of preparation. The contestant name, address and telephone (include day/evening numbers) must be included with each recipe submission.

The contest is open to any and all food lovers. Winner of Grand Prize courtesy of Shell Vacations Club getaway vacation must be at least 21 years of age. Contestants should be mindful of the requirement that if selected as a finalist they compete in a timed “Iron Chef” approach that requires them to prepare their recipe at the following:

a) Top 5 Finalists: Timed “Berry Blast Off” contest at the professional kitchen of the Courtyard by Marriott, Oxnard (600 East Esplanade Drive, Oxnard, CA 93036) Friday, May 6, 2011 at 11:00am where recipes are prepared and presented within a 60-minute time frame for judging. Presentation is also a part of the overall judging. Media invited to attend. b) Top two challengers to compete for Grand Prize Carnival Cruise Vacation Getaway package courtesy of Shell Vacations Club at actual California Strawberry Festival Saturday, May 21, 2011 (3250 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA) in the Strawberry Promenade before an audience of Festival patrons.

Deadline for recipe submissions
12:00PM
April 29, 2011 (Sorry, no exceptions)

Submit by email
csf@strawberry-fest.org
(please submit both in memo form and as attachment ensuring that your name, address and telephone number are on the body of the attachment)

Submit by mail
California Strawberry Festival
Attn: Berry Blast Off
1661 Pacific Avenue #15
Oxnard, CA 93033

Submit by fax
805/ 385-4729
Attn: Berry Blast Off

All recipes submitted as entries become the property of the California Strawberry Festival, a non-profit 501 c(3). By entering the contest, all participants consent to the commercial use of their name, picture, likeness and recipe for advertising and publicity/promotional purposes without further compensation. Contestants must also allow the Festival use of their recipe, with proper credit, for inclusion in the souvenir California Strawberry Festival Cookbook.

Food professionals will consider qualifying entries to select five finalists. Notification and details of Berry Blast Off participation will be made to the five finalists by the first week of May 2011. Finalists must participate personally in the timed Berry Blast Off to be eligible for prizes.

Finalists provide the ingredients necessary for their recipes (with the exception of strawberries which the Festival provides), as well as all required preparation/cooking utensils (stoves, sinks and refrigerators will be provided).

Basis for judging: best taste/flavor, texture, preparation ease, presentation, and creative use of strawberries. Judging panel includes professional chefs, California Strawberry Festival Executive Committee members, and celebrity judges. The judging panel decision is final and binding.

On stage participation during the Festival in the Strawberry Promenade is limited to the two contestants and any volunteer helpers must be those provided by the Festival. Family and friends of the contestants are not permitted on-stage during the event but are welcome to attend the presentation.

Prize Packages only awarded to those finalists who participate in Berry Blast Off activities: *Top 5 Finalists: All finalists receive four complimentary tickets to attend the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard the weekend of May 21, 22, 2011, and a complimentary 2011 collector poster.

*Runner Up: Receives four passes for special entry to the Festival’s VIP Pavilion and an overnight stay at the Courtyard by Marriott, Oxnard, which includes a complimentary breakfast for two, and a complimentary dinner for two at Tierra Sur restaurant at Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard where acclaimed Chef Todd Aarons puts his skills to the test with Mediterranean influenced seasonal cuisine.

*Grand Prize Winner: Receives four passes for special entry to the Festival’s VIP Pavilion and a four-night Carnival Cruise Getaway vacation, compliments of Shell Vacations Club, (must be over 21 years of age).