HARDIN — The best dish was smokin’!
Smokin’ good, that is.
The judges of the 31st annual Sidney Daily News Harvest Holiday Cookbook contest Saturday at the Crossroads in Hardin selected Smokin’ Bacon Pepper Poppers as prepared by Tim Hickman, of Sidney, as the grand prize winner.
Hickman took home the $200 Clancy’s Grand Prize as decided by Michelle Bridges, executive chef of Wilson Health; Todd Uhlir, owner of Basil’s on Market in Troy; and Gary Strasser, manager of Clancy’s in Sidney.
“The flavor, uniqueness, creativity and cooking process all came together to make a winner,” Strasser said in presenting the award.
Twenty-four semifinalists in six categories presented dishes to the three overall judges and to category-prize sponsors during the event.
Nicki Meyers joined the overall judges to select Doris Bornhorst’s Apple Praline Quick Bread as the winner of the $50 Sidney and Troy CarStar Appetizers and Snacks category. Bornhorst is from Anna.
Connie Murphy, of Freshway Foods, presented her company’s $50 prize in the Main Dishes category to Rose Schlater, of Versailles, for her Savory Herb and Garlic Chicken.
Tricia Atwood represented Dorothy Love Retirement Community to award its $50 prize in the Salads and Sides category to Hickman for the Smokin’ Bacon Pepper Poppers.
Atwood also served as guest judge of the Desserts category for which Strasser presented the $50 Clancy’s prize to Margie Wuebker, of Fort Loramie, for Baklava Bars.
Laura Wildenhaus, of Flint’s TV and Appliances, helped select the Garlic-Stuffed Pork Chops made by John Pottkotter, of Fort Loramie, as the winner of the $50 Days Inn Slow Cooker Creations prize and Melissa Bowers’s Country Christmas Morning Casserole for the $50 Flint’s TV and Appliances Holiday Traditions prize. Bowers is from Sidney.
Throughout the day, newly published cookbooks from national publishers and gift cards donated by local businesses were given as door prizes. Following the judging, the attendees enjoyed sampling all the food and each left with a gift bag of contributed items.
The 2015 Harvest Holiday Cookbook will be distributed in the Sidney Daily News issue of Nov. 21. It will be available for single-copy sale after that date. Advance orders for additional copies will be accepted until 5 p.m., Nov. 6. Single copies picked up in the newspaper offices at 1451 N. Vandemark Road cost $1.25 each. Copies to be delivered by mail cost $5 each. Order blanks appear in the newspaper daily. For information, call 937-498-5939.
The following business and organizations provided cook-off door prizes, gift-bag items and refreshments: Adeline Myers, American Diabetes Association, Andrews McMeel Publishing, Applebee’s, Artichoke Publishers, Aunt Millie’s Bakery, Bloomsbury, Bob Evans, Cassano’s, Civitas Media, Dannon Yogurt, Edison State Community College, Eggland’s Best, Family Video, Frisch’s, Gateway Arts Council, Highlights for Children, Honda of America, Jarden Home Brands, Jones Dairy Farm, Kroger, Laithwaiteswine.com, LanePark of Sidney, Mama Rosa’s, Midwest Electric, Mutual Federal Savings Bank, Nakedwines.com, National Honey Board, Nelson Books, Peerless Food Equipment, Physician’s Mutual Insurance, Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Pizza Hut, PNC Bank, Pukka Publishing, Readmore’s Hallmark of St. Marys, Red Star, Regal Ware, Scott Family McDonald’s, Shelby County Animal Rescue Foundation, Shelby County Engineer’s Office, Shelby County Farm Bureau, Shelby County Historical Society, Sidney-Shelby County YMCA, Siloam, Southwestern Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce, Taste of Home Cooking School, Thomas Gosney, Ulysses Press, Voyageur Press, Wilson Health, Yankee Publishing Inc.
Contest assistance was provided by John Hartley, of Troy, and Woody’s Market.
