COMMUNITY
The heart of what makes Cooking Contest Central so special is our tight-knit and supportive community. Members of CCC receive access to our “Member Forums” and “Winning Recipe Archives.”
Member Forums
This is a private area where members can interact, ask questions, share advice and support each other.
Winning Recipe Archives
CCC has an extensive archive of contest winning recipes dating back over 10 years. These archives are a valuable tool when researching a contest to learn about past winners.
COMMUNITY FEATURE
Member Spotlight
Meet Marie Fama Valdez
CCC MEMBER SINCE 2013
Marie Fama Valdes began cooking at age 12, reading cookbooks like novels to help her father with family meals. To honor a promise to her late mother, she later entered the Pillsbury Bake-Off, launching her into back-to-back national finals (2013 and 2014) where she won the prestigious “Pillsbury Clever Twist” Award. During her first finals run, Marie discovered CCC—a supportive community she has proudly called her family of friends for nearly two years. Inspired by her family and Julia Child, she continues to chase her culinary passions, dreaming of winning a trip to the Food Network Kitchens.
Q How long have you been a member of CCC?
Almost 2 years now. I learned about CCC in 2013 at the Pillsbury Bake-Off Finals in Las Vegas. I met these wonderful people who were members and introduced me to this incredible company.
Q What has been your favorite contest or favorite win so far?
Without a doubt, I was lucky to make the Pillsbury Bake-Off Finals in 2013 and 2014, huge honor and opportunity. In the 2014 finals I was awarded the “Pillsbury Clever Twist” Award. I was beyond shocked and so thrilled. I’m still shocked and thrilled.
Q What is your dream contest to enter and win?
A contest that would win a trip to New York and visit to the Food Network Kitchens.
Q When did you start getting interested in cooking?
When I was about 12, my parents divorced and my father raised my sister Sara and I. I would help him with the shopping and cooking. I started buying Family Circle and Woman’s Day magazines and would make the recipes they featured. While other teenagers were buying Cosmopolitan and Glamour, I was buying cookbooks and would ready them like novels from cover to cover.
Q What made you decided to try competitive cooking?
Years ago, my mother bought me my first Pillsbury Cookbook. She encouraged me to enter the contest but I never did thinking I wasn’t creative enough and it seemed out of reach. In 2012 she passed away. The email came from Pillsbury shortly after that the new contest was now open. My husband said, you always promised your Mom, so I experimented and entered in her memory. I was shocked to receive the notice I had made the semi-finals and then the finals. Then, from the very first day, Kristina and CCC members have been unbelievably supportive and such an encouraging family of friends who are so genuine, generous and thoughtful. This family is what keeps me motivated to follow this passion I know I have always had.
Q What has been your biggest kitchen disaster?
I’m a pretty good “safety” person, so happily I haven’t set anything on fire….yet!
Q Which chef, author or food professional do you most admire?
I follow so many of the food professionals, the stand outs and most admired for me would be Julia Child who was fearless, Carla Hall for her enthusiasm and Tyler Florence for his portrayed kindness and passion.
Q Which chef, author or food professional do you most admire?
I follow so many of the food professionals, the stand outs and most admired for me would be Julia Child who was fearless, Carla Hall for her enthusiasm and Tyler Florence for his portrayed kindness and passion.