Staff Writer

Calling all cooks! It’s time for men, women, boys and girls to put on their thinking caps, and get in the kitchen and start rattling those pots and pans.

It’s Peanut Butter Festival time and everyone is invited to participate in the 11th annual Peanut Butter Recipe Contest.

Not only will the winner receive great prizes, they will also have the distinction of being top cooks among the peanut butter lovers of the world, said Delatha Mobley, recipe committee chairperson.

The Peanut Butter Recipe Contest is sponsored by the Brundidge Study Club and Mobley said they expect this year’s contest to be very competitive in all divisions.

"Peanut butter is a very popular foodstuff," Mobley said. "There are very few homes in America that don’t have a jar of peanut butter in their cabinets. All kinds of desserts are made with peanut butter and we hope to have a wide variety of entries in our contest."

The contest is open to adults and youths ages nine and up in Pike and surrounding peanut producing counties. The contest will be held in conjunction with the Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge, Saturday, Oct. 20.

Entries must contain at least one-half cup peanut butter. Any brand of peanut butter is acceptable. The recipe does not have to be an original.

There will be four categories – candy, cookies, cakes and pies. Each category will have two divisions, youth – ages 9-18 and adult, over 18.

"Each entry must have a copy of the complete, neatly written or typed recipe with it," Mobley said. "You must also have the category of the recipe identified on the top right hand corner of the recipe card. On the reverse side of the card, please print your name, complete mailing address and telephone number. If you are a youth, also list your school, grade, age and homeroom teacher’s name."

Contestants should take their prepared/cooked dish, along with their recipe and the requested information to the Peanut Butter Festival Recipe Contest site at the historic Bass House on Main Street in Brundidge no later than 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.

Mobley said each prepared recipe should be submitted for judging on a disposable dish or container.

"All dishes will be submitted to a panel of judges at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 20," Mobley said. "Judging should be completed by 11 a.m. Judging will be based on taste, appearance and uniqueness."

Winners will be announced on the Peanut Butter Festival stage and winning recipes will be printed in The Messenger.

"Samples of the recipes will be sold per serving after the judging is completed," Mobley said. "Everyone enjoys sampling the wonderful dishes made from peanut butter, so we encourage everyone to keep and eye on the Bass House and come sample some of the best peanut butter recipes anywhere after the contest is completed.

For more information contact Mobley at 735-2179 or Tammy Powell at 566-9401.