Showcase Your Culinary Skills at the Katy Rice Harvest Festival Rice Cooking Contest
The Katy community is preparing for another vibrant celebration of its rich agricultural heritage with the return of the beloved Katy Rice Harvest Festival. This annual event embodies the community spirit and cultural richness of Katy, transforming the Historic Town Square into a lively hub that promises memorable experiences for all ages.
On October 12th and 13th, the festival will come alive with an exciting lineup of live music, art contests, a bustling children’s zone, and an impressive array of 150 vendors showcasing unique crafts and an enticing selection of food options.
A community-favorite component of the festival is the Rice Cooking Contest, hosted at the City of Katy Fussell Senior Center. This contest invites amateur chefs of all ages to display their culinary creativity, featuring rice as the star ingredient in their dishes. Participants can register for free, stirring up the competitive spirit while celebrating the crop that has significantly shaped Katy's history.
Contestants can collect their complimentary donated rice for their dishes on October 5th, just before the Katy Rice Harvest Festival Parade. The rice for the contest is generously sponsored by the US Rice Producers Association.
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Last year's contest featured winning recipes such as Spanish Rice, Rice Casserole, Arroz con Coco, and Raisins and Pecans Rice Pudding. Judged on taste, texture, creativity, and overall impression, these dishes offered a tantalizing glimpse into rice's versatility and its potential to be transformed into an array of mouth-watering creations.
For those looking to participate, the contest calls for each dish to be home-cooked, prepared in a 9x13 disposable aluminum pan, and submitted for judging by 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 12th. Winners will be announced that afternoon at 4:00 PM on the Main Stage at the Katy Rice Harvest Festival, with awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, in addition to a People’s Choice Award determined by guest votes.
The deadline to enter the Katy Rice Harvest Festival Rice Cooking Contest is Wednesday, October 2nd. Registration can be done online here. Learn more about contest rules at katyriceharvestfestival.com/contests.
The festival, which supports local nonprofit organizations and scholarships through the Rotary Club of Katy, truly embodies the vibrant community spirit of Katy. Whether you're a culinary enthusiast eager to showcase your best rice dish or a visitor excited to explore the festival's offerings, the Katy Rice Harvest Festival promises an unforgettable experience rich in community pride and culture.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
