National Beef Cook-Off Now Accepting Submissions

While you’ve been busy honing your culinary skills in cooking schools online, the National Beef Cook-Off (NBCO) has begun accepting submissions for their 2013 contest. This year, organizers are asking cooks to use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “MyPlate” guidelines to create dishes that follow the organization’s “Making the most of MyPlate” initiative. According to the NBCO website, this means chefs should create healthy, delicious meals that utilize a variety of different food groups. In addition to beef, participants should try to include vegetables, fruits, grains or dairy products.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution outlined the four different entry categories for the competition. For 2013, these include: Semi-Homemade Beef Recipes; Belt-Tightening Beef Recipes; Real Worldly, Real Simple Beef & Potato Recipes; and Craveable Fresh Beef and Fresh California Avocado Recipes.

Entries will be accepted through April 15, after which time the winners will be announced. Out of 21 finalists selected in June, seven will be deemed regional winners and win $1,500 prizes. From the fourteen remaining finalists, a grand prize winner will be announced in November and receive $25,000 as well as a trip to the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show in Washington, D.C. Whether you learn to cook online or are a veteran in the kitchen, NBCO is a great competition to enter.