The Illinois State Fair's Blue Ribbon Culinary Contest is looking for tasty recipes to judge.

Those who submit the best entries will be invited to prepare their dish during the fair at a cook-off to determine the grand champion in seven categories, including Bake a Cake, Main Dish Using Chicken, Beef or Pork, Yeast Breads and Baked Desserts Using Dairy Products. Organizers have extended the entry deadline to give competitors additional time to go through their recipe boxes. The new due date is Tuesday, June 16, 2009.

Each exhibitor may submit two favorite recipes per category, for a maximum of 14 recipes entered. However, an exhibitor cannot re-submit entries that were chosen as finalists in past Illinois State Fair culinary arts competitions. Each recipe must be typewritten on an 8 ½" x 11" paper and include the contestant's name and address, or it will not be considered.

Recipe entries should be sent to: Illinois State Fair, Entry Department, P.O. Box 19427, Springfield, IL 62794. Participants must be Illinois residents and must not make their living by cooking or baking. Past grand champions are eligible to compete as long as they do not enter the category they won for at least three years.

For further information about contest rules, visit the Illinois State Fair website at www.illinoisstatefair.info or call Durinda Kirby at (217) 782-0786.

The Illinois State Fair will be held Aug. 14-23.