Creative Coffee Drinks sought for Red Cup Showdown

Well, I'm not a coffee drinker. Not at all. Although that doesn't stop me from enjoying a good tiramisu. :)


Anyway, I got a press release from Seattle's Best Coffee about the Red Cup Showdown at the Illinois State Fair. Entries are being accepted for the live cooking competition for up to $10,000 in prizes. "Seattle’s Best Coffee and Food Network’s Jeff Mauro are launching The Red Cup Showdown, a coast-to-coast search for the most imaginative coffee drink," the release states.
         

Jeff Mauro is the host of Food Network’s “Sandwich King” and is joining Seattle’s Best Coffee on the endeavor. He is winner of the seventh season of Food Network Star and graduated from California's Hollywood Kitchen Academy. 

The contest is open to Illinois cooks and coffee lovers who have a creative drink recipe using the coffee. The finalist who takes home the blue ribbon at the Illinois State Fair will be sent to New York City to battle against finalists from four other state fairs as well as one Facebook finalist for the $10,000 grand prize and the chance to have their coffee drink featured at Seattle’s Best Coffee locations nationwide. In addition to winning a trip to New York, the Illinois finalist will receive $500 and free coffee for a year, valued at $500.

To enter the Red Cub Showdown, visit http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/premium/ (click on General Premium Book and scroll to page 99). A panel of judges will select the finalist based on appetite appeal, uniqueness and the story behind the coffee drink idea. The entry deadline is July 15.