Milling Journal

Manhattan, KS—Dust off your recipe box and put your thinking apron on: King Arthur Flour, Fleischmann's Yeast and Kansas Wheat Commission are co-sponsoring the 2011 National Festival of Breads competition, which seeks the best yeast bread recipes from home bakers throughout the United States.

The competition is open to home bakers ages 18 and up from all over the nation.

Beginning Sept. 1, 2010, amateur bakers can submit original recipes for Ethnic Breads, Rolls, Time-Saving and Easy Breads, and Whole Grain Breads, to NationalFestivalofBreads.com.

A secure, easy-to-use form is available for bakers to enter recipes online; submissions will not be accepted by mail, fax, e-mail or phone.

"The National Festival of Breads emphasizes the values of the age-old tradition of home baking, but also the role that bread plays in a healthy and active lifestyle," according to Tom Payne, director of marketing at King Arthur Flour, the competition's title sponsor.

"King Arthur Flour strives to educate and inspire bakers of all ages and experiences and the National Festival of Breads provides a great way for bakers to share their talents."

The deadline for entries is Feb. 7, 2011.

The National Festival of Breads builds upon a rich tradition of grassroots support and is the nation's only amateur yeast bread baking competition, says Cindy Falk, chairperson of the event and nutrition educator for the Kansas Wheat Commission.

"This contest is a way for amateur bakers to be recognized for their baking skills and creativity," Falk said.

The Festival of Breads was established nearly 20 years ago by the WheatHearts, an auxiliary of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

In the original "Festival of Breads" baking competition, hundreds of amateur bakers from Kansas submitted their recipes during the biennial competition.

"The Festival of Breads started with Kansas wheat producers and has grown to this national event.

"It is a tribute to wheat farmers, millers, home bakers and ingredient companies," Falk said.

New this year is a category for Best Yeast Bread Shaping or Sculpting. Submissions for this category require the recipe and a digital photo of the bread, both of which may be submitted via the online form.

Judges will vet all entries and select eight finalists, each of whom will receive airfare to and accommodations in Wichita, to participate in national competition events June 23-25, 2011.

In addition, each finalist will receive a $500 cash award, participate in a Wheat Harvest Tour to a working Kansas wheat farm, flour mill and grain elevator, and take part in other activities.

The public is invited to watch the finalists bake their recipes on-site in Wichita on Saturday, June 25, 2011.

Other National Festival of Bread activities that day include baking workshops, a miniature trade show, bread tasting and door prizes. These events are free of charge to the public.

Meanwhile, judges will evaluate the finalists' yeast bread entries based on taste, originality, ease of preparation, healthfulness and appearance.

One Grand Prize Winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to a baking class of his or her choice at the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center in Norwich, Vt., a year's supply of Fleischmann's Yeast, plus $2,000 cash.

Additional information, past recipes and a summary of the 2009 contest are available on the official contest website, NationalFestivalofBreads.com.

FOr more information, call 802-526-1835.

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