November is traditionally the time when those with a culinary flare really shine. Professional cooks and home chefs alike have two opportunities this month to put their skills to the test with the 21st Annual Pumpkin Pie Contest and 1st Annual Gingerbread House Contest.

The Dubyak Family Chiropractic center is hosting its annual Pumpkin Pie Contest to support the hungry citizens of Stanislaus County on Thanksgiving Day. The pies entered in the contest will be donated to the United Samaritan Foundation’s Daily Bread Program.

Contestants must enter two pies in order to participate in the contest. The first prize winner will receive $100, while second place will collect $50.

Bakers of all ages and skill levels can enter the contest.  Local dignitaries will judge pies based on appearance, texture and taste of the crust, and the texture and taste of the general pie. The only rule regarding ingredients is there must be pumpkin, otherwise the sky's the limit.

Pie contest entries, as well as donations of store-bought pies and other food items, will be collected from 2 p.m. to  6 p.m.  Nov. 23 at the Dubyak Family Chiropractic Center, 3008 Geer Rd., Turlock. The entries will be judged that night and the winners will be notified by phone immediately after judging.

For more information, call 668-1944.

Those who prefer to decorate rather than bake can enter their gingerbread creation in the first annual Gingerbread House Contest as part of the Festival of Lights event in downtown Turlock.

This contest, sponsored by Hilmar Cheese and Reed Realty, is open to all ages and skill levels. Gingerbread houses can be of any theme, but every decoration must be edible. Entries must be submitted to the Turlock Journal office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 23-25. The houses will be judged on the evening of Nov. 25 and the top houses will be on display at the Festival of Lights event on Nov. 27.

First place winner will receive $500, second place $300 and third place $200.

To register for the contest, visit turlockdowntown.com and click the "Festival of Lights" tab. There is no fee to enter. For more information, call Kristina Hacker at 209-634-9141.