With just two days remaining, The DAILY LEADER’s 25thannual Wooden Spoon Cookbook Contest is drawing cooks fromall regions who want a chance at winning cash and other prizes inthe competition.

The deadline for entries is Friday, and cooks from Monticello,Wesson and other regions have already submitted their entries forconsideration.

“We’ve had a great deal of entries from people in surroundingcounties, which is quite a change from previous years. Maybe that’sbecause they’ve heard that the cookbook contest is a lot of fun andpacked with opportunities to win money and other prizes,” saidCassandra Johnson, Lifestyle editor.

Over $700 in cash will be given away in thecontest — that includes a $300 grand prize and$50 prize for category winners.

“A little extra money always comes in handy around this time ofyear for vacations and just leisure activities,” Johnson said.

What makes the contest even more special is the abundance ofdoor prizes that area merchants donate. The prizes are awarded at acookbook reception for all the finalists.

“We are always grateful to our local businesses who go out oftheir way to provide prizes. There are usually enough gifts forevery finalist to go home with a at least one,” Johnson said.

This year, there are several categories where entries are veryslim, according to Johnson.

“We need more recipes in the ‘Vegetables’, ‘For Your Health’ and’Kids Kuisine’ categories. The chances of winning are even greaterin those areas,” she said.

Over 200 recipes were entered in the 2001 contest, and Johnsonis confident that totals will exceed that by the day’s endtomorrow. Entries postmarked Friday, June 7, will also beaccepted.

“We can’t reach our projections without the participation of ourreaders. Those last-minute recipes always flood in on the lastcouple of days of the contest,” Johnson added.

Participants can choose to enter any one or all of sevencategories this year. Categories include: Appetizers; Soups,Salads and Fruits; Main Dish; Vegetables; Desserts and Sweets;Breads and Rolls; and For Your Health.

The ‘Kids Kuisine’ category is for children ages 16 and under.Youth may enter any recipe from appetizers to desserts, one in eachfood division. Rules in the category are the same as for otherentrants. They can have help in writing the recipe but minimalsupervision with preparing the dish (if chosen as a finalist).

The Wooden Spoon contest begins with readers submitting recipesto The DAILY LEADER to be examined by a panel of judges.

The recipes are then narrowed in each category and finalists arenotified to prepare their dish for a tasting. Following thetasting, category winners and a grand prize winner are chosen.

The contest is open to everyone in The DAILYLEADER/SOUTHWEST SHOPPING BAG circulation area, except foremployees of The DAILY LEADER and their immediatefamilies.

The maximum number of recipes accepted in the contest is 250, sothe earlier you get your recipes in, the better chance you have ofbeing included in the edition.

The winner will be announced at a reception on Thursday, June27, and cookbooks will hit the stands on Friday, June 28.