Recipe Contest

Enter by Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon · Bring your dish Sunday, Nov 22

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 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 . This is the only way to enter.
  2. Bring your dish on Sunday, Nov 22, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM to the Cooking Stage in the Garden Room @ The Grounds. Sunday is for dish drop-off only — new entries can't be accepted on Sunday.

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.
  • No late entries. Entries must be received by Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon.
  • 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.
  • No paperwork needed — we already have your entry and recipe.
  • 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 the Contest

Submit your entry online, or email your entry form and typed recipe to . Entries close Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon — no entries are accepted after that, including on Sunday.

Sunday, Nov 22 @ 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Dish Drop-Off (entered contestants only)

Bring your prepared dish to the Cooking Stage in the Garden Room @ The Grounds, 700 Event Center Dr., Roseville, CA. This is for delivering dishes only — not a time to enter. 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: $30

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. Entries close Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 noon, however you enter — then bring your prepared dish to the Cooking Stage on Sunday between 11:30 AM and 12:15 PM.