Maryland State Fair Soyfoods Cooking Contest

Among cotton candy stands and farm animal stalls at last year's Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was the second annual Soyfoods Cooking Contest, designed to promote health and nutrition in the state. The "Oh Boy, It's Soy" event was designated a state-wide competition featuring 34 entries - double the number from the previous year - in three divisions: vegan, adult, and youth.

Judges sampled original soy dishes ranging from Creamy Peanut Ginger Soup to Cauliflower Delight to Cherry Walnut Muffins. Participants entered their creations in all the possible categories - appetizers, breads, side dishes, main courses, and desserts. Each entry had to be from an original recipe and include at least one of the following: 1 cup soybeans or soymilk, 1/2 cup soy flour, 12 ounces tofu, 1/2 cup soynuts or soynut butter, 8 ounces tempeh, 1/2 cup TVP (textured vegetable protein), or 8 ounces soy "meat."

Entries were rated for their originality, taste, appearance, nutritional value, and ease of preparation. More than $500 was awarded in prize money, and the contest winners (several of whom were under age 18!) were also presented with ribbons for their winning efforts.

Contest organizer, Cyndi Reeser, RD, MPH, a nutritionist based in Washington, D.C., had received a grant in 2001 from the Maryland Soybean Board for a soyfoods education program which included the cooking contest. "[Maryland Soybean Board's] support set the stage for nutrition education outreach among 4H youth and other county residents...about the nutritional and health benefits for soyfoods," remarked Ms. Reeser. That program's success allowed the contest to return for its second year, along with new sponsors, Morinaga Nutritional Foods (Mori-Nu Tofu) and Soynut Butter Company.

Readers living near Maryland may be interested in entering this year's contest. The event will be held at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on Saturday, August 16, 2003.