Explore the Wild Rice Recipe Contest Winners Announced Today

Winner, winner, wild rice dinner

 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today the USA Rice Federation announced that Nadine Mesch of Mount Healthy, Ohio is the grand prize winner in the "Explore the Wild Rice" consumer recipe contest, conducted in partnership with the California Wild Rice Advisory Board (CWARB). Promoted by both groups through social media throughout May, the contest drew more than 70 recipes from all around the country. But it was Mesch's interesting take on a rice salad that took home the top prize.

"The recipes had to utilize wild rice and either white or brown rice," explained Katie Maher, USA Rice's manager of domestic promotion, "other than that, the entrants were free to get creative."

Maher says they did just that. "We saw a lot of creativity and a lot of healthy and tasty dishes, which was one of the reasons we held the contest - to remind people that rice is an important part of a healthy diet."

Mesch, a retired mother of four and new grandmother loves cooking and has instilled that value in her family. She enjoys using rice in her cooking because she finds it flavorful and versatile and has a long shelf life. Her winning recipe, Tropical Wild Rice Medley Salad, is, she says, "a perfect summertime dish - colorful and light, yet filling."

Second prize went to another salad dish, Wild Rice & Brown Rice Kale Salad, while Saigon Style Wild Rice & Salmon Fritters with Red Curry Mayonnaise took third. Honorable Mention was awarded to Rice, Bacon and Goat Cheese Fritters.

"This recipe contest and other joint promotional activities with CWRAB benefit both regular and wild rice," said Maher. "Wild rice and regular rice are primarily served together in a blend, so promoting one, benefits the other with consumers and foodservice professionals. It's also another avenue to promote whole grains."

Contact: Katie Maher, (703) 236-1453

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