The world of competitive cooking, local and State Fair recipe contests, as well as brand sponsored, commercial contests is fascinating. Some competitive cooks devote a great deal of time and effort to developing recipes and entering contests and even win prestigious prizes like the famous “Bake-off” contest multiple times. (There is even this Hall of Fame for noteworthy contesters.)

For some contestants, the incentive is the fun of competition, and for others, it is the prizes, which are sometimes small or large, and can be anything from a set of measuring spoons to an all expense-paid trip, to a small cash prize to a million dollars. I once won a pedometer in a recipe contest that featured sour cream, and I am terrifically proud of it.

Cooking (recipe development especially) is a way to test creativity and develop diligence. Entering a competitive cooking contest would be a great project for a family to undertake. Brainstorming and decision making prompts conversation. Imagine a reticent ‘tween getting excited by the idea, taking out her I-pod ear buds, and actually wanting to spend quality time with a parent. Imagine bored siblings getting along as they excitedly develop the next winning recipe. Wouldn’t it be great to turn the television off and make cooking a family activity? Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate a win together?

Malt-O-Meal has announced its 2009 recipe contest season, which will include 25 state fairs, offering great prizes all across the country. What recipe featuring Malt-O-Meal cold cereal will your family invent? For specific rules, contact your local fair directly.

Ready to get cooking? Here’s some resources:
• watch videos of winning Malt-O-Meal contest recipes
• for more competitive cooking contests, see State Fair Recipes
• see winning recipes for inspiration
• get advice and tips on how to win

Have you competed in the Malt-O-Meal cooking competition in the past? Write a post about your experience here! I’m looking forward to reading about your experience.

Jill Bloomfield

To me, kids’ parties are the best and most fun if they are active and novel. Moonbounces and trips to pizza play places are active, but they do not necessarily engage children in creative play. And, these kinds of parties are expensive and not terrifically memorable. This year, do something totally new and kid-friendly: a breakfast cereal party.

I came upon this idea by accident. Last year, I was a teacher and advisor to a group of eleventh graders, and the tradition at our school on the final day of class—when juniors become the oldest students at school—was for them to tailgate in the parking lot and to get their senior class shirts so they could wear them as they entered the school building. The previous year, students had been a little less than responsible using grills to cook breakfast, and the administration banned them. Disappointed and angry, the kids turned to me as their advisor to appeal—sorry, but I agreed with the principal and told them that we would come up with something spectacular that did not require cooking. I remembered hearing about a chain of restaurants that served breakfast cereal and was inspired by the concept. So, I got several kinds of cereal and put it in foil pans with plastic scoops from the party store. I got the traditional cereal toppings—bananas, blueberries, and nuts—as well as many non-traditional ones, including gummy bears, marshmallows, chocolate candies, coconut, exploding “rock” candy, and more. I bought chocolate syrup, caramel sauce and malted powder. To top it all off, I bought several small jugs of flavored milk: chocolate, strawberry, cappuccino and, of course, plain old white. With bowls and spoons in their school colors, I have never seen a crowd of kids so delighted by their creative concoctions.

This idea would be terrific at a birthday part for children, especially at a sleepover. Set up all the cereal, toppings, syrups and milk on a long table protected by a plastic tablecloth. Children can become cereal chefs, first by mixing up cereals and toppings (nothing wet) in a container (I love using small, colorful Chinese takeout cartons) as their signature cereal bland to bring home. Make labels on your computer (labels in all sorts of sizes can help you be creative) so kids can customize their boxes. Crayons, markers, stampers and stickers will help kids get creative. Then, let kids make another mix to eat at the party, adding syrups and milk.

To further the cereal theme:

• Invitations could look like cereal boxes or advertising, or could simply have one piece of cereal hot-glued on a plain card.
• Ask guests to come in pajamas, even if your party is in the afternoon.
• Incorporate cereal into classic party games like relay races, guess the number in the jar, and charades.
• Plan cereal crafts such as making cereal necklaces using licorice strings. Buy plain party hats and have kids decorate with cereal.
• Decorate your cake or cupcakes with cereal.
• Give themed party favors such as fun spoons, cereal bowls or crazy straws.
• Play classic “Saturday morning cartoons” on the DVD player in the background.
• Get photos of each cereal chef with his or her creation. Make into magnets and tuck in with thank you cards.

By the way, the cereal buffet works great for Saturday morning bar and bat-mitzvahs and is an extra fun, memorable and economical way to send off out-of-town wedding guests. For these events, cereal, toppings, syrup and milks look amazing in clear glass containers. For any occasion, your cereal party will be a showstopper that amuses and delights guests of all ages.

You can contact Jill Bloomfield by emailing: jill@teachkidstocook.com