Recipe Contest

Enter online by Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon · Bring your dish Sunday, Nov 22 (you can also enter in person then)

Online Entry Deadline — Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon

Questions? Email or call 530-5-ORANGE

What Is the Recipe Contest?

Show off your mandarin magic! The Recipe Contest celebrates Placer County mandarins and the creativity of our community. Create an original recipe featuring mandarins, submit your entry, and bring your finished dish to the festival on Sunday. Winners will be announced on the Abridged by PBS KVIE Cooking Stage at 3:30 PM, and everyone is welcome to watch.

What Can I Enter?

Mandarin Entrée

Main dishes featuring mandarins as a primary ingredient.

Mandarin Side Dish

Side dishes and accompaniments that showcase mandarins.

Mandarin Salad

Fresh salads featuring mandarins.

Mandarin Dessert

Cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, candies, and other sweet creations featuring mandarins.

Mandarin Cocktail (Adult Beverage)

Alcoholic beverages featuring mandarins or mandarin juice.

You may enter more than one category (one entry per person in each). Not sure which category fits? Email .

How to Enter & Contest Rules

How It Works

  1. Enter by Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon. Submit your entry online (recommended), or email your entry form and typed recipe to .
  2. Bring your dish on Sunday, Nov 22, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM to the Abridged by PBS KVIE Cooking Stage in the Garden Room @ The Grounds. Missed the Saturday deadline? You can still enter in person then: bring a copy of your recipe with your dish.

Key Rules

  • Canned or fresh (preferred) Placer-grown mandarin oranges or juice must be a primary ingredient. The judge's definition of primary is final.
  • Original recipes only.
  • One entry per person for each category.
  • Online and email entries must be received by Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon. After that, you can enter only in person at Sunday's dish drop-off.
  • Dishes arriving after 12:15 PM on Sunday cannot be judged. Judging starts at 12:30 PM — allow time for parking and the walk to the stage.
  • Food must be prepared and ready to serve (6 sample portions). No heating or cooling facilities available.
  • All entries and recipes become the property of the Mountain Mandarin Festival and may be featured on the festival website or in festival-related publications.
  • Please collect all dishes and display items immediately following the Award Presentation.

On Sunday

  • Bring your dish ready to serve (6 samples) and any serving utensils it needs.
  • Entered online or by email? No paperwork needed — we already have your entry and recipe.
  • Entering on Sunday? Bring a copy of your recipe with your dish. You'll fill in a short entry form at the check-in desk. Sunday entries are taken only during drop-off, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
  • Admission is free for the contestant bringing a dish (anyone with you pays regular admission). Parking is $15 per vehicle, paid on arrival.

Can't use the online form? Download the entry form.

Print it, fill it in, attach your typed recipe, and email a scan or a clear phone photo to by Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon.

No email or internet? A friend or family member may submit for you — just use your name as the entrant. Or call 530-5-ORANGE (leave a message if no one answers) by Friday, Nov 20, and we'll help you enter before the deadline.

⭳ PDF ⭳ Word (.docx) ⭳ Markdown (.md) ⭳ Plain Text (.txt)

All formats contain identical content: full rules, all form fields, and the pre-submission checklist.

Contest Day Schedule

Now – Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon

Enter Online or by Email

Submit your entry online, or email your entry form and typed recipe to . Online and email entries close Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon. After that, you can enter in person on Sunday.

Sunday, Nov 22 @ 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Dish Drop-Off & In-Person Entry

Bring your prepared dish to the Abridged by PBS KVIE Cooking Stage in the Garden Room @ The Grounds, 700 Event Center Dr., Roseville, CA. Not entered yet? Bring a copy of your recipe too, and enter at the check-in desk. Dishes arriving after 12:15 PM cannot be judged.

Sunday, Nov 22 @ 12:30 PM

Judging Begins

Our judges begin tasting all entries.

Sunday, Nov 22 @ 3:30 PM

Awards Presentation

Winners are announced and prizes are awarded. Please collect all dishes and display items immediately after.

Prizes

🏆 Prize Money & Awards

Best of Show Grand Prize

To Be Announced (TBA)

1st Place: $100

2nd Place: $75

3rd Place: $50

Submit Your Entry

✅ Submit online — recommended

Fill out our secure entry form and attach your recipe — a PDF, Word doc, plain text, or a clear photo (phone photos welcome). It goes straight to our recipe inbox — no email app needed — and you'll get an on-screen confirmation.

Submit Entry Online →

Max file size 15 MB. Larger file? Email it to from your own email. Online and email entries close Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon — then bring your prepared dish to the Abridged by PBS KVIE Cooking Stage on Sunday between 11:30 AM and 12:15 PM. Missed the deadline? Enter in person on Sunday: bring a copy of your recipe with your dish.