73rd International Rice Festival
One of Louisiana’s oldest and largest agricultural festivals is set for this weekend in Crowley, Louisiana. The 73nd International Rice Festival is Thursday through Saturday, October 15, 16 and 17, 2009.
A highlight will be the annual Rice and Creole Cookery Contest Friday (October 16) in the Acadia Cooperative Extension Service Building. Road Trips Foodies thinking of entering must plan ahead: All dishes entered must be thoroughly cooked and chilled when brought to the Cooperative Extension Building for judging. Failure to meet this standard will result in the dish being disqualified. It would be a good idea to transport the dish on ice in an ice chest to the contest. Microwaves will be available for judges to heat samples before tasting dishes. And, please note, at least one cup of cooked rice must be included in dish and listed in the recipe. Note: Wild rice is not a cultivated rice in Louisiana and does not meet the recipe requirement of 1 cup of rice. Dishes containing rice products such as rice cereals, rice flour, etc. must also contain cooked rice. The exhibit must include the number of servings indicated on the recipe. For example, if the recipe states that it serves six, then the entire six servings must be displayed. You’ll need an entry form, too.