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Prize-Winning S.C. Cook Relies On Whimsy

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The Associated Press

Published: July 9, 2008

LEXINGTON, S.C. - LEXINGTON, S.C. - A South Carolina woman's whimsical approach to food is helping her crack the insular world of cooking contests with such novel dishes as Pecan-Encrusted Oysters Over Asiago Cheese Grits.

Candy McMenamin has won more than 105 prizes in the five years since she began competing throughout the country. Her Wild Wild West Beef and Smoked Gouda Grits won her $10,000 at the National Beef Cook-Off a few years back. Soon afterward, her Sweet Potato Encrusted Chicken earned her $10,000 in appliances at the first Simply Manischewitz kosher cooking contest.
Cooking contests have long been part of American culture; think blue ribbons for the best pies at county fairs. But television shows and million-dollar prizes have ramped up the culinary competition to the point where innovation and ingenuity really count.

McMenamin, who taste tests her creations on her husband and two children, isn't letting success go to her head. Cooking, she said, is a hobby that began growing on her in recent years as a way to "reinvent herself."

McMenamin's attitude of not being afraid to try different things has folks in the world of competitive cooking talking about the newcomer from the South.

"Being a consistent winner gets people's attention, and that is what Candy has done and why her name is recognized," said Roxanne Chan, a 64-year-old from California who has won more than 740 prizes in 24 years of competitive cooking. "Also, when actual cook-offs are involved, her friendly personality and enthusiastic spirit make her stand out."

This year, McMenamin's triumphs include first prize in a Wholesome Sweeteners contest for her Amazing Apricot Cookies and top honors in the side-dish contest at a North Carolina sweet potato showdown for her Rosemary-Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Charred Lime Drizzle.

"She knows what flavors go with what flavors and that's almost a sense," said her mom, Reta Coffman.

McMenamin's son Jack has his own theory how his mom delivers prize-winning recipes: old-fashioned trial and error.

"Every once in a while, I'll taste something she makes and say, 'This one didn't work,'" he said. "Most of the time I'll just look at it and go out to McDonald's."

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