Feed your competitive nature

You pour your heart, soul and lots of love into the homemade meals and goodies you prepare. But it's not always out of the goodness of your heart, is it? Just admit it. You want something in return... That something is praise. Nothing warms the heart of a cook more than statements like: "That was SO good!" "You must give me the recipe for that..." "You know what I'd like for my birthday? That *insert dish here* you make!" As a cooker from a family of cookers, I know a great deal about the fragile egos that live in the kitchen.

But each year, Southern Living dangles the carrot that makes me consider pulling out my apron and putting my pride on ice for a while. The Southern Living Cook-Off 2007 is here, along with a chance to pocket $100,000. Interested? All you have to do is submit a recipe that is good enough to blow the judges away.

There is no cost to enter the contest and no limit to the number of original recipes you can submit. All entries must be your creation and have one Cook-Off sponsor product in the ingredient list. Entries must be postmarked by June 6, 2007. Go to www.southernlivingcookoff.com for more information.

So go through your recipe rolodex if you want to compete. And be sure to check your ego at the kitchen door...