Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in Connecticut Contest

Who doesn't love a great Chocolate Chip Cookie?

Think you have what it takes to make the best chocolate chip cookie?

Then this contest just might be for you!

Attendees of the Emmanuel Church's Family Fair on September 17th 2016 are all invited to enter the ever popular, “Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in Connecticut” contest --  with a panel of local judges, including Katy Piazza, Emmanuel’s Priest-In-Charge, The Weston Forum Editor Patty Gay, Weston Women’s League President, Margaret Krauss, Weston Middle School Principal, Daniel Doak, and other Weston organization members.

Photo Source Foodista

Prizes will be awarded for First, Second and Third Place. Bakers of all ages are encouraged to enter at no charge. Bring one dozen, homemade chocolate chip cookies, a list of ingredients (required for entry) and your name and contact information to the contest table by 12:00 noon, the day of the fair. Creativity is welcomed -- the only rule is that the cookies include chocolate chips. Guidelines can be found on the church website (www.emmanuelweston.org).

When: Saturday, September 17 from 10:00 - 4:00 (Contest check in at NOON)
Where: Emmanuel Church,  285 Lyons Plain Rd., Weston.
Cost: Admission is free and all are invited.
Additional Details:  visit www.emmanuelweston.org.  

About the Emmanuel Church Family Fair

Fun will abound at Emmanuel Church’s popular 110th Family Fair on Saturday, September 17 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, on the parish grounds, 285 Lyons Plain Road, Weston. Fairfield County residents and beyond are invited to attend this family-friendly event, that will take place rain or shine.

Photo (Left to right) Kit Hamilton, Mallory Rogers and Patti Stuebe
 head up children’s games at last year’s Emmanuel Family Fair.
Photo by Andrew Dominick

The festivities planned are many and varied. Fair goers will be entertained by St. Luke’s Steel Band between 11:30 - 2:00. Traditional carnival fare including hamburgers and hotdogs will be on tap as will ice cream, popcorn and other snacks. In addition, kids will relish pony rides, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course and a variety of children’s games.

Shoppers will delight in the selection of treasures sold via booths of every sort to include toys, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, baked goods (at Emmanuel’s popular “Country Kitchen”),  art and autumn plants. Great finds are sure to be discovered throughout the Family Fair. Cash and credit cards accepted; no checks please.

Additionally, the younger set is invited to Story Time in the church from 10:30 - 11:30 with Hurlbutt Elementary Principal and Emmanuel parishioner, Laura Kaddis and Rev. Katy Piazza.

 All can bid on a Silent Auction sporting a vast array of items donated from community businesses, vendors, artisans and the like. Attractive items include Mets tickets, a round of golf and lunch at Country Club of Fairfield, a Westport-Weston YMCA birthday party, original art-work and more. Themed gift baskets and other sought-after surprises will also grace the auction.

 “I look forward to our 110th Family Fair with great enthusiasm. It’s a time honored tradi-tion that promotes fellowship among our congregation and beyond parish borders. It’s also a day of relaxed fun for people of all ages -- and the perfect vehicle through which to extend Emmanu-el’s hospitality. The Family Fair exemplifies the true meaning of community,” said Katy Piazza, Emmanuel’s Priest-In-Charge.

Fair Committee Chair, Kit Hamilton, also commented.  “Having worked on Emmanuel’s Fair several years running, I can say with sincerity, it’s a memorable happening. Families flock from all across the state to enjoy the children’s activities, great deals and entertainment. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest is also always a big draw. I’m thrilled to lead our team as we plan and put on this year’s event.”

110 years old, the Emmanuel Family Fair proudly fosters a home-grown atmosphere and promotes a true sense of community -- a sure-fire, winning combination. Additional details can be found at www.emmanuelweston.org or by calling the church office at (203) 227-8565.

The family-friendly event takes place on Saturday, September 17 from 10:00 - 4:00, on the Emmanuel Church grounds, 285 Lyons Plain Rd., Weston. Admission is free and all are invited. For details, visit www.emmanuelweston.org.

Redpack Tomato Second Annual Toss The Flavor Promotion

Social Media Promotion

Toss the Flavor with Redpack Tomatoes!

Did you know that the month of May is National Salad Month????

And in honor of Salad Month - Redpack Tomatoes is holding their second annual "Toss in the Flavor" promotion! 

And here at the Home Place Blog we're teaming up with them to help celebrate!

This year's RedPack "Toss in the Flavor" promotion will run from May 13 to June 10 on Facebook. During this period, RedPack will share their new collection of Redpack salad recipes featuring Redpack Petite Diced Tomatoes along with seasonal fruits and vegetables.

As a part of the promotion, Redpack will be giving away a Grand Prize Picnic Basket that includes all the tools you need to spin, chop, toss, dress and mix your favorite Redpack summer salad.

And here at Home Place we're offering up a Mini-Redpack Kit!

The mini-kit will include Redpack Petite Diced tomatoes, Petite Diced Tomatoes, a Redpack

Tote and some salad recipes, or similar combination.

For a second prize we're adding a two-pack of mason jars - perfect for creating those popular Mason Jar Salads!

Enter the Home Place Blog #RedPackTossFlavor Contest below:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: Home Place is not responsible for the awarding of prizes. Winners must reside in the continetal U.S. This contest runs May 14, 2015 through June 10, 2015. Winners will be notified within 48 hours of contest end and will have 48 hours to respond. Please check your that your Rafflecopter email address is current.

If you haven't already...
Enter the Redpack Facebook Contest HERE 

Disclaimer: Home Place was gifted a RedPack package similar to the one being awarded in this contest in exchange for promotion of this contest.

Tuttorosso Tomato Inspirilize Giveaway

Spring is almost here and it's time to make room for light and delicious Italian inspired dishes featuring Tuttorosso Tomatoes and spring ingredients.

Tuttorosso is teaming up with Ali Maffucci of Inspiralized to host a "Inspiralize the Spring" Facebook promotion. 

Tuttorosso is so excited about this partnership that they want to share the wealth with Home Place Blog readers! That's right! THAT MEANS YOU!

They want to send one of our readers a Tuttorosso Sample Kit that features springtime recipes, and 28 oz cans of Tuttorosso Crushed with Basil, Tuttorosso NSA Peeled Plum and Tuttorosso Diced Tomatoes.

And I'm so happy that over here at Home Place we're even joining in the giveaway FUN with a second prize of a pair of Home Place stemless wine glasses.

Hand Painted Wine Goblets by PaintedByTheShore
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaintedbytheShore

Just enter below using the Rafflecopter below  - and happy spirilizing!

This giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents only and runs 3-27-15 through 4-15-15

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spiralizing vegetables is a great new way to eat light and healthy!

The Tuttorosso facebook promotion will run from March 25 - April 15, and gives fans a chance to win weekly prizes. The prizes from that campaign include Spiralizers (20/week), Inspiralized Book (5/week) and Aprons (250/week). There is also a grand prize package of a Spiralizer, Inspiralized Book, Apron, Picnic Basket and Kitchen Gadgets.

Just go to https://www.facebook.com/tuttorossotomato to enter!

To give you an idea of the recipes that Ali has developed with Tuttorosso, Here's the Spiralized Turnip Mushroom and Tomato Risotto.

Spiralized Turnip Mushroom and Tomato Risotto

Time to Prepare: 20

Time to Cook: 20

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 white onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 large turnips, peeled, Blade C

16oz sliced baby Portobello mushrooms

1 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and pepper, to taste

1 (28oz) can Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1 tablespoon finely minced flat-leaf Italian parsley, to garnish

Directions

Place the turnip noodles into a food processor and pulse until rice-like.

Place a large pot over medium heat and add in the olive oil. Once oil heats, add in the onion, mushrooms, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 5 minutes or until onions turn translucent and mushrooms begin to wilt.

Add in the turnip rice and season with oregano, salt and pepper. Stir to combine and then add in the tomatoes.

Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, or until turnip rice softens and cooks to your preference. Once cooked, fold in the cheese and stir until fully combined.

Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

******

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary gift package of Tuttorosso tomatoes in exchange for promotion of this campaign. 

1st Annual Milford Farmer's Market Apple Pie Contest

Calling all amateur pie makers! - This means you!

Milford Downtown Farmers' Market Apple Pie Contest
Entry Deadline: September 28th, 2013
Contest: October 5th, 2013

The Milford CT Downtown Farmer's Market is holding their 

FIRST ANNUAL Apple Pie Contest on October  5, 2013

And all you have to do to enter is bake a "from scratch"  Apple Pie!
Entry Deadline 9-28-13

Yum!!! - Who doesn't love Apple Pie???

OFFICIAL RULES

1. Contest is open to individuals or groups working as a team
2. One entry per person per category
3. Recipe MUST accompany the entry (the pie)
4. Pies entered must have bottom and side crust
5. Pies must be made from scratch. No store bought pies. No store bought crusts.
6. Apple Pies only
7. Amateur bakers only
8. If pie plate is not disposable, it must be clearly marked for proper return
9. Contestants agree to have their photos published

JUDGING OF PIES AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. Complete entry form and submit to Milford Downtown Farmers' Market (Sunflower Farm tent) or mailed to Milford Downtown Farmers' Market-Sunflower Farm, 767 Derby Milford Road, Orange CT 06477, by September 28th, 2013
2. Submit pies on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, between 8:30am and 9:30am. Pies should be dropped off at the Milford Downtown Farmers' Market PIE JUDGING TENT WHICH WILL BE CLEARLY MARKED ON THAT DATE.
3. Judging will begin shortly after 10:00am and the winner will be announced at approximately 11:00am
4. Judging will be based on Taste (50%), Appearance (25%) and Overall Appeal (25%)
5. Taste is judged on flavor; Appearance is determined on the pre-slice and post-slice runniness, firmness and juiciness after the pie is cut; and Overall Appeal is how appealing and impressive the pie is in general
6. Contest judges are Kathleen Donovan, Joe Agro, Louis Agro, and a surprise Judge!!

WINNER WILL RECEIVE A BEAUTIFUL BASKET OF MARKET GOODIES

For additional Information Contact
Sabrina Santoro, Sunflower Farm, 203.795.6829
Link to entry form HERE

Happy Baking!

Note: Home Place is not affiliated with this contest, its rules, nor responsible for the judging or awarding of any prizes.