Oxnard’s 12th annual California Strawberry Festival is...

Oxnard’s 12th annual California Strawberry Festival is still five months off, but last week organizers of the event began accepting recipe entries for the festival’s popular Berry-Off contest. The entries, in fact, must by received no later than March 3.

Mary Barajas, the Berry-Off coordinator, said she expects somewhere around 450 to 500 entries from about 37 states. “Each year the number goes up,” she said. “One of the reasons is we have a $500 sweepstakes (for Most Outstanding Strawberry Dish). In the cooking contest arena, that is considered quite high.”

Recipes are accepted in the categories of hors d’oeuvres; soups and salads; main dishes and vegetables; breads, pancakes and crepes; pies, cakes, cookies and other desserts; and other (condiments, sauces, butters, vinegars, wines and whatever else your mind can conjure up).

“We tend to get an overwhelming number of entries in the pies, cakes, cookies, or desserts category,” said Barajas. “It’s easier to blend the strawberries with the sweetness (of desserts), but real good cooks will blend it with something like cabbage or onions.”

Though desserts are the most popular entry, the most outstanding award has been given to recipes in just about all the categories at one time or another. The recipes will be prepared and judged by local professional chefs.

And in case you were wondering, don’t be afraid to be unique. Last year’s finalists included a Strawberry and Brie Quesadilla, the Thai’d and True Strawberry Pasta Toss, and the Strawberry Tart Caribbean.

Mail recipes to Berry-Off ‘95, Berry Bin ‘95, 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, CA 93035.

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On a larger scale, Sara Lee Bakery is holding an “America’s Sweetest Kids” dessert contest for children age 6 to 16, with entries to be post-marked no later than Jan. 31.

The unique thing about this cooking contest is that no cooking is involved. Entrants are required to use pound cake--its density and moistness are easy to slice into attractive shapes--and top it with frostings and various easy-to-incorporate trims. Preparation time should be no more than one hour. Participants send in a pattern and assembly directions for the dessert. The winner will receive $5,000.

Entries will be judged on taste, visual presentation, originality and ease of preparation. For an entry form call (800) 235-CAKE or write to Sara Lee Sweetest Kids Dessert Contest, 415 N. LaSalle, Room 700 B, Chicago, IL 60610.