Foster Farms is seeking entries for its 2011 Fresh Chicken Cooking Contest. The contest is open to home, amateur and professional chefs residing in California, Oregon and Washington who are asked to submit their prized, original chicken recipes featuring fresh chicken and locally-inspired ingredients for consideration. The winning contestant will receive a grand prize of $10,000 plus a one-year supply of Foster Farms fresh chicken.

Recipes must feature Foster Farms fresh chicken and should be inspired by fresh ingredients grown on the West Coast. The deadline to enter is May 31, and the contest will culminate with finals held on Sept. 30 at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, during National Chicken Month. 

“The contest provides a great opportunity to highlight the fresh, natural, locally grown and seasonal foods of our region and inspire people to create new recipes or add a unique twist on a time-tested family favorite,” said Ira Brill, director of Marketing and Advertising Services for Foster Farms. “We’ve received many promising recipes so far and hope to encourage West Coast chefs and home cooks alike to pull out all stops and submit even more entries to make this our most successful contest yet.”

The contest has opened doors for culinary enthusiasts, noted Brill.

“Last year’s grand prize winner, Alexandria Boswell, used the contest as a springboard for her culinary career, starting a catering company and completing her culinary externship at one of San Francisco’s top restaurants.”

The contest also inspired other finalists to enroll in culinary school, he said.

Foster Farms will host regional semifinal events in San Diego, Portland, Ore. and Seattle, Wash. in August, culminating with The Final Cook-off Sept. 30 in St. Helena.

Fifteen semifinalists — five from each state — will receive $100 and compete in person at regional competitions held in Seattle, Portland and San Diego. Six regional winners — two from each state — will receive $1,000.

The six regional winners will head to The Final Cook-off in St. Helena to compete for the grand prize of $10,000 and a one-year supply of Foster Farms fresh chicken. The six finalists will receive travel and lodging accommodations in the Napa Valley compliments of Foster Farms.

A special prize will be awarded to the contestant who best uses of fresh, local ingredients (last year’s winning recipe highlighted fresh spinach and dill).

The contest is open to all California, Oregon and Washington residents over the age of 18. Entries will be judged by a panel of leading food media and culinary professionals. Contestants are encouraged to submit their unique chicken recipes featuring Foster Farms fresh chicken and emphasizing fresh, local ingredients. The scoring structure will be weighted to reward contestants whose recipes highlight truly fresh and local ingredients.