Follow the rules.
This is probably the most important. If you omit something because you don't think it's important, it could disqualify you. If they say to use a 3-by-5 card, don't substitute and think it will make no difference. Your entry will go right into the circular file. Use the products that are called for and make sure you get your entry in on time.
Play the name game.
Naming your dish is very important. A creative and unusual name will get the judges' attention. Descriptive words that capture the feeling of your dish add to its overall interest. For instance, say you have entered a pizza contest. Instead of just submitting your recipe, think about naming it...Celebration Pizza! Winners Circle Pizza! Touchdown Pizza! Party Time Pizza! Five-minute Pizza!
Look to your ingredients for ideas. Pineapples? How about Aloha Pizza! South
of the Border Pizza!
Think about special occasions for ideas. Anniversary Pizza! Patriotic Pizza!
You get the idea. A catchy name is good except if the rules specify no
catchy names, of course.
What is currently a hot food topic?
Check out some food magazines and see what everybody is talking about. If southwest flavoring is hot, then think about adding a southwest twist to your recipe. If a certain spice is the rage at all the restaurants, you may want to incorporate it into your offering. Even if you are submitting a tried-and-true family favorite, you might want to give it a trendy new twist. Judges seem to favor recipes that have a popular
twist.
Keep it simple.
Make sure your ingredients can be found at most markets.Complicated recipes don't often win, and if you have to go to another country to get the ingredients you can forget it.
Appearance is very important.
It might taste delicious, but, if it doesn't look good, it doesn't have a chance.
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