The art of food

Mainers know their state is home to dozens of top-notch artisinal food producers. Now, those artisans have a chance to show the rest of the country with the Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal Awards. A panel of distinguished judges will choose winners in the following categories: bread/baked goods, dairy, meat and charcuterie, fish and seafood, confectionary goods, condiments, oil and vinegar, fruit and vegetable. A final award will be given to a family-owned business that best exemplifies artisinal food production. Deadline for entries is Jan. 31. For information or an application, visit www.gallofamily.com.

Berry good

Looking for a true Maine breakfast? Look no further than Blueberry Girl Pancake Mix, made with Wyman blueberries. The mix is available at health food stores in Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, Machias, Rockland and Bangor or online at www.mainegoodies.com/gourmet/splendorblueberrypancakes.shtml.

Soup to nuts

Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci chose the winner of the December cooking contest at Monica’s … Naturally in Unity. The category was a soup with Worcestershire sauce and almonds as ingredients. Dena Perkins of Knox took first place with her recipe for It’s Not Your Mother’s Chicken Soup. Carol Giles’ Winter Warmth soup took second. Creative cooks can prepare for the Jan. 21 cooking contest with a category chosen by Karen Baldacci: a hot entree that uses asparagus and cumin as ingredients. For more information, call 948-2935 or e-mail monicasnaturally@uninets.net.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.