For more than 20 years, the Holiday Recipe Contest sponsored by Leader Publications has allowed readers to showcase their favorite holiday dishes.
In recent years, the Leader Holiday Dinner has added to the fun, with the top recipe in each category prepared and served and diners sampling the five dishes and voting for their favorite.
In a pandemic year, of course, getting 240 people together to dine is out of the question. “We are sad we aren’t able to have the dinner this year,” Leader assistant publisher Peggy Scott said. “One of the most fun aspects of the dinner is getting to eat and laugh and debate our choices, sharing what we love most about the recipes as we taste them.
“Next year we hope to be back in our seats at the dinner, but for now, we want to give our readers a chance to be part of it.”
This year’s contest drew 115 entries from 53 different contributors. Readers are invited to check out the five category-winning recipes, then vote for their favorite. The grand-prize winner will be announced in the paper and will receive a $50 cash prize.
The five category winners each received a $50 cash prize. They are:
Appetizer: Reconstructed Deviled Eggs by Robert Duncan of Dittmer.
Soup: Kaysie’s Favorite Soup by Kelli Williams of Cedar Hill.
Salad: Half Moon Bay Slaw by Sherrie L. Crane of Barnhart.
Side dish: Bacon Brussels Sprouts by Cindy Fox of Imperial.
Dessert: Bourbon Eggnog Cookies by Elizabeth Arway of Eureka.
There are several ways to vote:
■ Complete the ballot below.
■ Email your choice to news@leaderpublications.biz.
■ Mail in your choice to Leader Holiday Recipe Poll, P.O. Box 159, Festus, 63028.
■ Drop off a ballot at 503 N. Second St. in Festus (drop off box is outside as the office is closed).
Please only vote one time per person.
The deadline for ballots is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and the results will be published in the Dec. 24 issue of the Eureka Leader.
For more information or with questions, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.
