Cash and Free Books for Culinary Writing

Two topics today:  1. Passing along a note from my friend Cate Simpson, president of the BC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International.

Please find below an opportunity to submit published works (non-fiction culinary writing) in a writing contest sponsored by Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Cash awards totalling $1,750 (US) will be presented to three outstanding female culinary authors entered in the Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) MFK Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing. The inaugural award will be presented during LDEI’s annual conference Oct. 21, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kansas City. In addition to the first-place award of $1,000, the winner will also receive airfare and hotel expenses to the awards ceremony. Second and third-prize winners will receive $500 and $250 respectively. 

The contest is open to women writers in the United States, Canada and Mexico who have had non-fiction culinary writing published in the English language during 2004 and 2005. Entries should be nonfiction, and may include analytical pieces, autobiographical explorations including reminiscences and personal experiences and forays into culinary history.

For information about how to enter the MFK Fisher Award contest, contact www.ldei.org or www.mfkfisher.org. Authors and their publishers may also contact Greg Jewell, Executive Director, Les Dames d’Escoffier International, at 502-456-1851, or send an e-mail to ecmanagement.com.

For questions about any of the rules, contact the MFK Fisher Award Chair, CiCi Williamson, at 703-533-0066 or send an e-mail to email hidden; JavaScript is required.

2.  The Zagat Guide:

Vancouver Courier restaurant reviewer Tim Pawsey wears many hats, including that of editor for the Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler editions of the next Zagat Survey. The Zagat Guides rely totally on opinions from regular diner-folk, and Tim is soliciting your entries. Visit http://www.zagat.com to rate and review restaurants. If you cast your ballots by February 12 you will receive a free copy of the survey when it comes out in June. Don’t worry, Tim is experienced at discovering unscrupulous ballot-box stuffers!