Hood Announces Dairy Cook-Off Semifinalists

Note: The following is an announcement from Hood.

HP Hood today announced the five Massachusetts semifinalists who will compete for the $10,000 grand prize in the 3rd Annual Hood® New England Dairy Cook-Off® presented by Hood Sour Cream. 

A total of 30 amateur cooks from the six New England states will compete in a head-to-head cook-off in Portland, Maine, on November 6, 2011.   All recipes are original and include at least one Hood dairy product in the following five categories: breakfast/brunch; soups/chowders; appetizers/side dishes; lunch/dinner (entrée); and dessert.

The five Massachusetts residents are:

Elinor Ives, Fiskdale – Edgartown Crab Hash Benedicts with Lemon Dill Sauce(Breakfast/Brunch)

Paulette Di Angi, Osterville -  Madagascar Corn Soup with Cilantro-Chili Oil and Polenta Flatbread(Soups/Chowders)

Sophia Pattas, Northborough – New England Style Clam Chowder Rangoons with Creamy Chowder Dipping Sauce(Appetizers/Side Dishes)

Maureen Donovan, Lynn – Seafood Pasta(Lunch/Dinner)

Scott Cohen, Charlestown – Cognac Cocoa Custard(Dessert)

Judges for the 2011 event include Tom Pizzica, host of Food Network’s “Outrageous Food” and “The Next Food Network Star.”  He will join Patti Woods, an award-winning journalist and food blogger; J. Desmond Keefe III CEC, CCE, Culinary Instructor, Southern New Hampshire University; Peggy Poole, Vice President of Quality Systems & Regulatory Affairs, HP Hood; and Amy Traverso, Senior Lifestyle Editor from Yankee Magazine. Judges will select the winning dish based on taste appeal, presentation/appearance, and creativity/originality.

“Hood is committed to providing home and professional cooks with the very best dairy ingredients for all of their recipes,” said Chris Ross, Vice President of Marketing, HP Hood.  “In the three years we’ve held the Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off, we’ve been impressed by the creativity of our entrants, their passion for cooking and loyalty to Hood products. We look forward to another exciting competition.”

Each of the 30 semifinalists selected to attend the Cook-Off will receive a prize of $100.  One winner from each category will advance to the finals for the $10,000 grand prize.  Finalists who do not win the grand prize will each receive $500.

For more information on the Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off, please log onto HoodCookOff.com. For more information on Hood, please log onto Hood.com or become a fan of Hood at Facebook.com/HoodCookOff.