CONTESTS : How to Get Rich With Recipes

Do you love to cook? Are you adventurous? Do you want to win fame and fortune? Read on.

Here are a variety of recipe contests currently seeking contestants. Read contest rules for specifics on ingredients and deadlines. Other tips? Read through your recipe carefully to make sure that all ingredients are listed, and that the cooking directions are clear and easy to follow. Be sure to include cooking times, temperatures and appropriate pan sizes.

Avocado aficionados are encouraged to try for the $5,000 grand prize in the second annual McCall’s Avocado Recipe Contest. There is no limit to the number of entries that you may submit as long as they are not guacamole recipes (which are not being accepted).

Dishes will be judged on originality, taste, appearance, ease of preparation, general appeal and creativity. “The recipes we received for last year’s contest showed a trend toward lighter and more healthful recipes,” says Mark Afflect, president of the California Avocado Commission and co-sponsor of the contest. Last year’s winner was a recipe for salad with fluffy avocado dressing.

Entries must be original. All recipes must be submitted by May 25. To enter, send your recipe, along with your name, address, zip code and telephone number printed on a 3x5 piece of paper, to McCall’s California Avocado Recipe Contest, P.O. Box 1581, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10169. Entrants must be at least 21 years old.

You’ve got nothing to lose by entering the Ultimate Cookie Contest: The worst that could happen is that you eat all the rejects . . . or you could win the $10,000 grand prize. Sponsored by M&M;’s and Gold Medal Flour, the contest is open to nonprofessional bakers older than 10 years of age. Recipes must be original and contain at least one cup of Gold Medal Flour and one cup of M&M;’s plain or peanut chocolate candies.

For rules and entry form, write to: Ultimate Cookie Contest, P.O. Box 5403, Department 30, Minneapolis, Minn. 55460. Entries must be postmarked by May 15.

Are you a Smart & Final shopper? As part of its 120th anniversary celebration, the warehouse grocery store chain is looking for original recipes containing at least one exclusive Iris product. More than $15,000 in prizes will be awarded, including a $5,000 cash grand prize for the best recipe.

Entries, which are being accepted at all Smart & Final outlets, must be received by May 11. For more information call (213) 284-7946.

There’s still time to win the $2,500 grand prize in the fifth annual Favorite Veal Recipe Contest. Judges are looking for tasty recipes that are just a little bit out of the ordinary--yet not too far out--and are easy to prepare. Last year’s winner was veal patties with mustard sauce. Ground veal was seasoned with a blend of herbs and served with a quick yogurt-mustard sauce made in the same pan.

Entries must be postmarked by April 26. Only one entry per envelope. Entrants must be 18 years or older. To receive complete contest rules, write: Veal Rules, P.O. Box 530, Barrington, Ill. 60011.

In honor of National Barbecue Month, Tony Roma’s is looking for original barbecue recipes that not only taste great but are creative and easy to prepare and reflect the taste of Southern California. The grand prize is a five-day stay in Hawaii for two. Second prize is a stay for two in San Francisco. Third prize is a weekend at La Quinta Golf and Tennis Resort.

Entry forms for the Best Homemade Barbecue Sauce in Southern California Recipe Contest may be obtained at participating Tony Roma’s throughout Southern California. Entry forms must be postmarked by May 1.

You must be at least 55 to enter Valle Verde Retirement Community’s third annual Santa Barbara Senior Cook-Off. Categories include breads, main dishes, desserts and “light and right.” Cash prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. In addition, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust will award 25 silver dollars to the winner of the “25” category, open to teams as well as single cooks.

For more information or entry forms write or call: Valle Verde Retirement Community, 900 Calle de los Amigos, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105. (805) 687-1571. Deadline is April 27.

This year’s search for the most outrageous sandwich is open to kids 6 through 14. Ham and cheese with Bosco vinaigrette? Come up with a creative (and edible) sandwich using Kraft Singles Cheese and you could be the winner of a trip to Walt Disney World resort. Judging will be based upon originality and creativity (60%), clarity and completeness of instructions (20%), appropriate use of Kraft Singles Cheese (10%), ease of preparation (10%).

Entries must be the original work of each contestant--in other words, parents, butt out! The contest ends June 28. For a list of rules, send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10 envelope to: Kraft Singles Rules, P.O. Box 4030, Blair, Neb. 68009. Requests must be received by June 7.