Hall takes grand prize in annual cookbook contest

Hall takes grand prize in annual cookbook contest

PARKERSBURG - For the 55th year The Parkersburg News as well as Sentinel presents its cookbook filled with recipes from our readers across the Mid-Ohio Valley.

This year the winner of the grand prize is J. Patrick Hall, 41, of Smithville, who submitted the winning recipe for peas and carrots tortellini salad with pesto. Hall's winning recipe able to be found on page 3 of the cookbook.

Hall's salad was selected as the top recipe out of more than 30 recipes at the annual tasting and judging in October and from among hundreds of recipes entered into competition.

Hall said his recipe evolved with different ingredients until he found the mix that was just right.

"It was put together based on individual things," he said. "I tried different things and when they didn't work I went back to the drawing board and tried something else."

As winner of this year's competition, Hall'll be one of the judges for the 2010 contest. Hall said he is excited for the opportunity and is looking forward to seeing how others present their foods as well as what they will create.

As winner of the contest he will take home a $750 prize package of upscale knives and kitchen utensils from Fulton Inc. on Market Street in Parkersburg.

Category winners, their recipes and other finalists were:

Soups: first place, Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, Jane E. Burdette, Parkersburg; second, Autumn Harvest Potato Soup, Debbie Martin, Mineral Wells; and third, Seafood Gumbo, Philip Stoneking, Parkersburg. Other finalists were: Carrot Soup Puree, Connie Childress, Parkersburg; and Seafood Gumbo, Philip Stoneking, Parkersburg.

Main dishes: first place, Pesto Lemon Chicken Ravioli, Andrea Deem, Parkersburg; second, Vegetable Stuffed Fish Roll-Ups, Cheryl Oplinger, Vienna; and third, Cornish Game Hen with Coconut Rice. Other finalists were: Judy Piersall, Marietta; Tuscan Crockpot Pasta, Janet Rogers, Belleville; and Amazing Venison Rolls, Stacy Morgan, Vincent.

Side dishes: first place, Vidalia Onion Pie, Tresha Coe, Washington, W.Va.; second, Cranberry-Apple Casserole, Jan Heron, Vienna; and third, Rice Casserole, Amanda Deems, Vienna. Other finalists were: Doc's Best Jerky, Jeremy Doc Moore, Belmont; and Mandarin Orange Sweet Potato Casserole, Mrs. Joseph C. Snyder, Parkersburg.

Salads: first place, Peas and Carrots Tortellini Salad with Pesto, J. Patrick Hall, Smithville, W.Va.; second, Dilly Shrimp Salad, Shannan Allen, Mineral Wells; and third, Garbanzo Bean Salad, Patricia Burdine, Williamstown. Other finalists were: Dijon Chicken Salad, Janet Atkinson, Williamstown; and Bloody Mary Tomato Salad, Vickie Davis, St. Marys.

Appetizers: first place, Cranberry Crab Meat and Cream Cheese Appetizers, Tammy Morrison, Newport; second, Holiday Appetizer Wreath, Anna McQuaid, Williamstown; and third, Cream Puff Minis with Chicken Salad, Debby Carouthers, Belmont. Other finalists were: Mini Crab Cakes, Jim McLean, Vienna; and Brie En Croute, Stephen Jones, Walker.

Breads: first place, Garden Biscuits, Michael Matthews, Belpre; second, World's Best Walnut Zucchini Bread, Jean Wilkinson, Washington, W.Va.; and third, Cantaloupe Bread, Darlene Enoch, Leroy, W.Va. Other finalists were: Sweet Braided Loaves, LaChresia Bogardus, Coolville; and Crescent Rolls, Jean H. Cronin, Harrisville.

Desserts: first place, Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Anna Dean, St. Marys; second, Caramel Pumpkin Delight with Cream Cheese Frosting, Linda Nichols, Parkersburg; and third, Apple Dapple Cake, Peggy Cisco (via Billie Bailey), Parkersburg. Other finalists were: S'More Cheesecake, Matt Petty, Marietta; and Pumpkin Carole, Carole Jones, Waverly.