The kitchen timer has been set, and the countdown starts todayfor The DAILY LEADER’s 26th Annual Wooden Spoon CookbookContest.

Over $700 in cash prizes will be given away in the contest –including a $300 grand prize and $50 prize for categorywinners.

In addition to cash prizes, local merchants donate prizes to begiven away during an awards ceremony after the contest. Thedeadline for submitting entries is Friday, May 30.

“Every year it seems our contest gets better and better, withsome familiar faces returning to the contest and new cooks testingthe waters to see if their dish will take the grand prize,” saidCassandra Johnson, Lifestyle Editor. “There is no greateropportunity than cookbook time to get to know some of the cooks whomake life special for people in this area.”

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

In its fourth year, the ‘Kids Kuisine’ category is for childrenages 16 and under. Youths may enter any recipe from appetizers todesserts, one in each food division. Rules in the category are thesame as for other entrants. They can have help in writing therecipe but minimal supervision with preparing the dish (if chosenas a finalist).

“This is an opportunity for all those children who are out forsummer vacation to earn a little extra money,” said Johnson. “Thewinning entry in the category is also eligible to compete againsttop cooks for a chance at the grand prize.”

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 DAILY LEADER/SOUTHWESTSHOPPING BAG circulation area, except for employees of The DAILYLEADER and their immediate families.

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, June19, and cookbooks will hit the stands on Friday, June 20.

Rules for the contest include:

* Recipe must be typed or legibly written on one side of an 81/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper (no index cards).

* In case of duplicate entries, the entry with the earliestpostmark or date of receipt will be considered.

* List ingredients first, then the method of combining. Includethe amount or number of servings. Avoid using brand nameproducts.

* Each recipe must be accompanied by the coupon, which willappear for the first time in today’s paper and periodicallythroughout the contest, or a photo copy of the coupon.

* Late, illegible or incomplete entries will bedisqualified.