LEESBURG, IND. – From an update on a Southern classic to a trendy poutine dish, winning recipes in the 2015 “Strut Your Duck” Recipe Contest showcased the versatility of Maple Leaf Farms duck products. The annual contest for cooking enthusiasts challenged entrants to create an original recipe that features Maple Leaf Farms duck and submit a photo of the plated dish as part of the entry.
An updated version of the classic Southern tomato pie took the Grand Prize of $5,000. The recipe, Cherry Whiskey Braised Duck Tomato Pie with Popcorn Dust Frico, was created by Sandi Sheppard, of Norman, Oklahoma. She will also receive free Maple Leaf Farms duck products for a year.
A recipe submitted by Linda Bonwill, of Englewood, Florida, for Baked Eggplant Stuffed Caprese Duck Breast was awarded the First Runner-Up Prize. The Second Runner-Up Prize was claimed by Lauren Katz, of Ashburn, Virginia, for her Duck Bacon Sweet Potato Poutine with Cider-Cream Gravy and Fried Shallots. The dessert recipe for Duck Bacon Chocolate Truffles submitted by Patricia Schroedl, of Jefferson, Wisconsin, earned honorable mention in the contest.
All recipes with accompanying final dish photos were evaluated anonymously by a panel of judges from Maple Leaf Farms in two separate judging rounds. The Top 10 finalists' recipes were prepared by staff chefs in the final round of judging, which focused on the taste of the prepared duck dish.
“Sampling the finalists’ duck dishes each year is a highlight for us,” said Nora Macon-Rauen, director of consumer marketing for Maple Leaf Farms. “Home cooks are taking notice of the versatility of duck and its ease of cooking to turn out some very creative recipes.”
All contest entry photos may be viewed on the contest website at http://www.duckrecipecontest.com.
About Maple Leaf Farms:
Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. is America's leading producer of quality duck products, supplying retail and foodservice markets throughout the world with innovative, value-added foods. Founded in 1958, Maple Leaf Farms is a fourth generation, family-owned company. For more information, contact Maple Leaf Farms at 1-800-348-2812 or visit http://www.mapleleaffarms.com.
Source: Maple Leaf Farms