Top Home Chef

The Arizona Republic, my hometown newspaper (circulation ~350K; 12th largest paper in the nation) is sponsoring its first-ever contest to find "unknown culinary talent" in the Valley of the Sun. I'm there! Sign me up!

Entries close for "Top Home Chef" in two days. I sent my entry in Sunday night. I hope I avoided getting caught up in the last minute filing rush that always happens with contests.

I'm pretty proud of my entry: an essay telling about my philosophy of cooking, entertaining style, and why I'm like a chef; a three-course menu; and, recipe for an appetizer and picture of said appetizer.

The contest closes April 18th and three finalists are announced on April 22nd! Yikes! How can they do that so quickly???

The three finalists prepare their menus and serve them to The Arizona Republic staff between May 1-15th. the winner of the contest is announced June 1st. That timeline surely beats the wait for manuscript feedback! I'm just sayin' . . .

I wanted to share my menu and appetizer recipe here. Let me know if you like what I sent. DH gives this 10 Tongues Up! (I know, I know. And so does he--only five tongues allowed. You try to keep his tongue under control!)

Here is my menu for six:

Appetizers

         My Hermosillo Salsa/Chips

         Fruit ke-babs with Greek Yogurt Dip

         Fish Mini-Tostadas (recipe provided)

        

Entrée

         Cocoa Chile Chicken

         Cranberry Quinoa

         Tossed Salad with Lime-Ginger Vinaigrette Dressing

         7-Up Biscuits

Panoply of Palate Pleasers (mini-desserts)

         Lemon curd tartlets with whipped cream and fruit

         Mini Nutella brownies

         Black forest parfait (shot glasses)

         Apple crisp (mini ramekin)

         Caramel Ice Cream with toffee bits (shot glasses)

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir will be offered, along with coffee and tea

What say you? Would this menu entice you? 

Tomorrow I'll post the recipe and photo for Fish Mini-Tostadas.