Vicki F. Chavis's Blog

Posted by Vicki F. Chavis

This contest, the "Flavors of the Mediterranean," runs from Sept. 20, 2009 to Dec. 20, 2009, and is an opportunity to win a trip to Spain, experience top-of-the-line cooking classes, and more.

STAR Olive Oil is inviting home cooks across the country to share their favorite Mediterranean dishes in the "Flavors of the Mediterranean" Recipe Contest.

RULES

• recipes must be original
• recipes must feature classic Mediterranean ingredients
• recipes must include two STAR products, including STAR Olive Oil

PRIZES

• Grand Prize: winner will enjoy the magic of Catalonia, Spain, in an all-expense paid culinary adventure featuring daily cooking classes, visits to local wineries, food markets, historic sites, a private olive oil tasting and lunch at STAR's facilities in Tarrega, Spain.
• First and Second Prizes: winners will receive a SUR LA TABLE gift card. The first 500 entrants will receive free STAR Olive Oil/Vinegar cruets.

The contest begins on Sept. 20, 09 and runs through till Dec. 20, 2009 with final judging in January, 2010. The complete rules, suggested ingredients, product list and gift-giving official entry form will be on the Star Fine website.

Good Luck all! I'd love to hear from the winning entrant!

Posted by Vicki F. Chavis

Folgers Home for the Holidays contest begins September 30, 2009 and ends on November 7, 2009. This is one you don't want to miss. You've seen the Folgers coffee advertisement during the holiday season, the one in which the older brother returns from overseas military duty just in time to spend Christmas with his family - a very touching and memorable scene. Now it's your turn to write your version!

How Do I Enter the Contest?

Describe what you think is the best part of wakin' up at home during the holidays. Obviously the aroma of freshly brewed coffee on a brisk winter morning can stir up a sense of nostalgia and a yearning to be at home with family. This is your chance to express what the best part of wakin' up means to you and your family.

How Many Winners?

Five winners will receive a seven-day, six-night stay in December of 2009. Each of the five winners will be allowed to take up to three guests along with them to travel to their hometown within the 48 contiguous United States.

What Else Do I Win?

Each prize includes:

• round-trip airfare
• hotel accommodations
• rental car
• $1,000 in spending money
• a Folgers gift basket

Winners will be announced on or about November 11, 2009.

Good Luck to all!

Posted by Vicki F. Chavis

Recipe contests come and go but I like to post the ones I think sound do-able and offer cash prizes to get us off the couch and into the thinking booth...or the kitchen, whichever comes first.

Atkins Cuisine Recipe Contest

This particular contest is being held by Atkins Cuisine and the last day to enter the contest is September 30, 2009. With three weeks till the deadline, it could be enough time for some optimistic, creative foodies to get their ideas together for entry.

Enter the Atkins Cuisine Recipe Contest and you will be surprised, I'm sure, by the generous prize money being offered. Prizes include $100 to 24 semifinalists, $500 to 12 finalists, and $1,500 to 6 Grand Prize Winners. I don't know about you, but SIX grand prizes seems mighty generous to me!

Check the Contest Rules Carefully

So, go to the website, check out the entry categories and rules for playing. Beware, residents of Maryland and Vermont, professional chefs and professional caterers, you are in the group that is ineligible to enter this contest. For the rest of the foodies who love to create and play in the kitchen, good luck to each of you and may the best man/woman/child win!!

Posted by Vicki F. Chavis

Do you make pizza often and get bored of the same old thing? You can get creative and Win $5,000 and a Trip to Disney World by entering your original pizza recipe in Mama Mary's Pizza Creations Recipe Contest.

Mama Mary's Pizza Creations Recipe Contest

• contest runs from Jan 1 through Dec 31, 2009
• Grand prize is a trip for four to Disney World
• Grand prize also includes $5,000, half of which will be donated in your name to your favorite charity!
• Send your favorite recipe using Mama Mary's Pizza Crusts along with a picture of the pizza and your family's photo (photos not mandatory for entry.)

Check out Mama Mary's Pizza Website to See Past Winning Creations

Take a look at the Covered Bridge Pizza submitted by Amanda Shaw, past winner of the Pizza Creations Recipe Contest or Chris Milano's Grand Prize winning creation, the "EY-OH" Italian-Style Pizza Pie.

Try some unusual combinations and let the kids help!

For official rules, visit Mama Mary's and check out the contest categories.

You can also mail your recipe to : Recipe Contest, Spartan Foods of America, Inc., P.O. Box 1003, Fairforest, SC 29336

Good Luck to all. And if you win, please let me know and share your recipe with us foodies here at Suite101!

Posted by Vicki F. Chavis

Many years ago I entered a sweepstakes innocently enough while standing in line in a Subway sandwich store. Four weeks after I entered the sweepstakes, I survived an "unsurvivable" plane crash. A few days later, I received notice that I had won the grand prize of a two week vacation in the Bahamas. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take that trip and the irony of it all was a bit too much to bear at the time.

Fast-forward to the current year of 2009 and I am a renewed and much more hopeful human being. I LOVE sweepstakes and I am sharing this current sweepstakes opportunity with my readers because it is a beautiful trip loaded with PARTY FOOD and amazing experiences.

Enter Sweepstakes All Year Long

You can enter daily to win at AAA.com/Win. You must be 21 years old and a US legal resident to enter. Sweepstakes begin on Dec. 18, 2008 and end on Dec. 31, 2009. You have one year to enter as often as you can remember.

Sweepstakes Grand Prize

The Grand Prize is an 11-night vacation for two to Italy. Discover the luxurious history of Italy, visiting four unique and truly beautiful regions. Prize is valued at $25,000.00.

What the Grand Prize Winners Get

The winner will spend two nights in Venice, two nights in Florence, 3 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Sardinia. You will receive, if you win, $1,000.00 in spending money along with 2 Rail Europe Passes and two round trip coach airfares to Italy.

Winner - Share Your Story Please!

My hope is that whoever wins the sweepstakes will take the trip of a lifetime, write about it, and share the joy with those of us who also dare to dream.

Good Luck to all!