The deadline is 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, for Leader readers to vote for the overall winner in the Holiday Recipe Contest.
The Leader staff already chose five finalists for the contest, and each one will receive $50. The overall winner will receive another $50.
Typically the Leader holds an in-person dinner at Jefferson College, and culinary students prepare and serve those dishes, offering attendees the chance to taste them and vote for their favorite among the five finalists. No dinner could be held this year because of COVID-19, so the Leader is asking readers to vote for their favorite.
The five finalists are:
Appetizer: Bangin’ Shrimp, Shonda Jenkins of Hillsboro.
Soup: Turkey Tortilla Soup, Cheryl Thorn Linneman of Hillsboro.
Salad: Grandma Myrtle’s 24-Hour Frozen Fruit Salad, Heidi Pimm of Arnold.
Side dish: Creamy Zucchini, Claudia Foran of House Springs.
Dessert: Pumpkin Layer Cake with Pumpkin/Apple Filling and Maple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.
There are several ways to vote:
■ Online at myleaderpaper.com.
■By email at news@
■ Mail in your choice to Leader Holiday Recipe Poll, P.O. Box 159, Festus, 63028.
■ Drop off your choice at 503 N. Second St. in Festus.
Please only vote one time per person.
See all the submitted recipes on the Leader’s website at myleaderpaper.com.
For more information or with questions, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.