BLACK EYED PEAS

1. BLACK EYED PEAS COOKED ON SITE - All Black Eyed Peas must be cooked from scratch ON SITE the day of the Cookoff. All Black Eyed Peas must be prepared in the open (no cooking in motorhomes, etc.)
2. BLACK EYED PEAS MUST BE COOKED FROM SCRATCH - "Scratch" is defined as starting with dried, fresh, or frozen Black Eyed Peas. No canned Black Eyed Peas are allowed. Black Eyed Pea mixes ("just add Black Eyed Peas to premeasured spices or water”) are NOT permitted.
3. NO FILLERS IN BLACK EYED PEAS - Beans, macaroni, rice, hominy, or other similar ingredients are not permitted.
4. SANITATION - All food, utensils, service articles must be protected from contamination during storage, preparation, display and service. Food contact surfaces must be clean and sanitized as necessary. No smoking is allowed in or around the food preparation and cooking area. All food will be kept a minimum of 6 inches above the ground. Animals and birds are prohibited in the food preparation and cooking areas. Cooks and Contestants must thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water: 1) before starting food preparation 2) during cooking as often as necessary to keep them clean 3) after smoking, eating or drinking 4) after using the BATHROOM! Cooks are to handle, prepare and cook BLACK EYED PEAS and, any ingredients, in a sanitary manner!
5. INSPECTION OF COOKING CONDITIONS - Cooking conditions are subject to inspection by the judges. (If you fail to comply with rules regarding cleanliness you will be disqualified)
6. COOKS MAY HAVE TO TASTE THEIR BLACK EYED PEAS - At the discretion of the head judge, Black Eyed Pea cooks may be required to remove the lids from their Black Eyed Pea containers and taste their Black Eyed Peas before turning in a sample for judging. (If a contestant refuses, his or her Black Eyed Peas will be disqualified.)
7. ONE BLACK EYED PEA ENTRY PER COOK - Each lead cook is responsible for preparing ONE pot of Black Eyed Peas that will be judged. No more than one sample per judge can be taken from any pot for the contest. Teams can serve contest observers who participate in the "Peoples Choice" Judging.
8. BLACK EYED PEAS TURN-IN - Black Eyed Peas will be turned in at the place and time designated in the "COOK'S MEETING", or as otherwise designated by the judges.
9. PYROTECHNICS / WEAPONS - No Black Eyed Peas contestant may discharge firearms or use any pyrotechnics or explosives at the Black Eyed Peas Cookoff. Contestants discharging firearms and/or using explosives or other pyrotechnics will be disqualified from the Black Eyed Peas Cookoff. AND, the appropriate law enforcement agencies will be contacted.
10. PENALTIES - Failure to comply with Black Eyed Pea Cookoff Contest Rules will result in disqualification of an individual cook and/or team. Decisions of the judge(s) are final. In case of disqualification, the judge(s) of the cookoff will immediately notify the head cook, and give the reason for disqualification. If disqualification of a " Black Eyed Pea Sample" occurs after judging has started, the cook / team will NOT be located, or given an explanation for the disqualification.

CORNBREAD