2009 National Festival of Breads

Thank you for your interest in the 2009 National Festival of Breads™, sponsored by King Arthur Flour, Fleischmann’s Yeast and Kansas Wheat! This baking contest emphasizes the role that bread plays in a healthy and active lifestyle.

Entry deadline has passed.
Entries are now in the judging phase.

Contest Summary

This is a baking contest for the home baker. Any amateur baker 18 years of age or older as of January 1, 2009, and residing in the United States may enter.

Each entrant must develop and submit an original yeast bread recipe that has not been previously published. Contest categories include Ethnic Breads, Rolls, Time-Saving and Easy Breads, and Whole Grain Breads. Each contestant may enter more than one recipe per category.

Recipes must call for KING ARTHUR flour; seventy-five percent of the total grain flour used in the recipe must be KING ARTHUR unbleached wheat flour (All-Purpose Flour, Bread Flour, Traditional Whole Wheat Flour, White Whole Wheat Flour, and organic flours). Each recipe must include concise but sufficiently detailed directions, with ingredients listed in the order of use; mixing, kneading and baking times; water temperature; pan size and preparation (greased or ungreased); mixing method (hand or mixer); shaping instructions (dimensions); and yield. Each recipe must yield a minimum of two loaves or one dozen rolls. A short history of the recipe (source, modifications, etc.) should be included.

Recipes will be judged based on taste, originality/artistic flair, ease of preparation/practicality, healthfulness/nutritional balance, and appearance/shaping. Recipes selected as finalists must be prepared the day of the final competition in eight (8) hours or less.

By entering the contest, entrants agree to participate in the national competition events from Monday, June 15, 2009, through Wednesday, June 17, 2009, in Wichita, Kansas. Finalists will be notified on or about April 1, 2009.

Eight (8) finalists will receive a $500 cash award and a trip to Wichita, Kan., to compete on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, for additional prizes. One Grand Prize Winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to a baking class of their choice at the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center in Norwich, Vt. King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center classes are posted online at kingarthurflour.com/baking.

In addition to eight (8) finalists' awards and the Grand Prize, five (5) special awards of $500 cash may be given depending on entries received:

• Best Recipe Using White Whole Wheat Flour (at least 75% white whole wheat flour in recipe)
• Best Recipe Using Cranberries
• Best Recipe Using Cheese
• Best Recipe Using Nuts
• Best Recipe Using Raisins

Special Award winners, chosen from among eligible entries, may not be guaranteed a spot as one of the eight finalists and need not be present to win.