Emeril sponsors military-only cooking contest

  • Published
  • By Ashley Farrell
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  If you're currently a chef on active duty in the armed forces, TV cooking-show icon Emeril Lagasse wants your favorite recipe. 

Emeril is looking for a military chef who has the right recipe and knows how to use it.

Any military chef who has a favorite dish can enter the first Military-Only Emeril Cooking Contest. Recipes ranging from jambalaya or marinated steak to specialty pies and appetizers all have a chance of winning.

"I have great respect for our men and women who serve in the military," Emeril said. "I also understand the challenges their chefs face stationed all over the world. We created this contest to acknowledge their hard work and dedication."

Emeril will pick his favorite entries, which will be used in an upcoming show. Recipes must be original creations and will be judged on creativity and, above all, taste.

The idea for the contest came from the show's great experience with the men and women of the armed forces, Karen Katz, a producer for the "Emeril Live" program, said. An aircraft hangar at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., was the taping site of one of 2005's best "Emeril Live" shows and "was a huge success," she said.

"We have continued to have great experiences with the military when they have been included on the show, so when the idea for the military-only cooking contest came up, we all were on board," Ms. Katz said.

The contest starts at 9 a.m. Eastern Time Sept. 25 and ends at 5 p.m. Oct. 9. Interested chefs can enter by visiting the Food Network Web site at www.FoodNetwork.com and completing an entry form online that outlines personal and military background and the recipe. Participants must be at least 18, U.S. residents and active-duty servicemembers.

"We are anxious to see what is being served out there," Ms. Katz said. "We are always amazed by what America is cooking and are excited to include chefs of the armed forces."