Potential food entrepreneurs from across the state will converge at the State Fair of West Virginia on Sunday, August 16, for the third annual West Virginia Recipe Challenge. Entrants will compete for over $10,000 in goods and services and a chance to have their product launched in the marketplace.
The competition began in 2006 as a chance for emerging entrepreneurs who have dreamed of taking their home-cooked product to the grocery store shelf. The event has won national recognition and led to the launching of two new specialty foods businesses in the state.
“I was no different than anybody else at the Recipe Challenge,” said Darrell Vowell, winner of the 2006 competition with his homemade barbeque sauce. “I was a man with an idea and a dream.” Vowell has since launched his product under the name Cowboy Cook’n Company and has even opened a restaurant in Wayne, WV.
The challenge itself will consist of two categories: new entrepreneur and existing business. Prizes include recipe refinement, packaging design, label development, nutritional panel creation, technical assistance, production time in a commercial kitchen, product marketing, and more.
The West Virginia Recipe Challenge is a collaboration of West Virginia State University Extension Service, the State Fair of West Virginia, Opening Soon Inc., Tamarack, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Contestants must register for the competition by noon on July 27. Registration forms, category definitions, and more information about the contest are available online at www.statefairofwv.com or by calling (304) 645-1090.
Jason Hodges
Dec 19, 2009
5:28 pm
Fair Competition
I believe events like this help to stimulate the economy indirectly. This is innovative and refreshing. Web Design Company
Visitor
Aug 12, 2009
12:55 pm
I will appreciate if you can
I will appreciate if you can post the recipe of winners as well..
Web Design Company
john fagan
Jul 28, 2009
1:19 pm
Potential food entrepreneurs
I think this is a great competition for many. I know lots of people from the area and they say I would do good in entering the competition. Timing is everything. Maybe I will be able to be a part. They say a day late and a dollar short, but I think I made it in time anyway. Great program.
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