Pumpkin recipe challenge

Spice up your kitchen adventures and participate in our pumpkin recipe challenge!

2025 EVENT INFORMATION:

Only one entry per person. Recipes will be judged on taste, innovation, and presentation. Extra points are given for theme-related recipes.

Contestants should drop off their recipe and sample at Freedom Hall (349 W Birchwood) between 5:00pm and 5:30 pm on September 3rd, 2025 and return at 7:30 pm for announcement of winners. 

Contestants should email a digital PDF copy of their recipe to bwood@mortonillinois.org by September 2nd.

Only original recipes created by the contestant will be judged (no exceptions)

Rules:

  • Min. 1 cup Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin in each entry

  • 2 printed or typed recipes for each entry

  • Food can be displayed on any dish

  • No more than 1 dish per entry

  • Limit 1 entry per person

Entrants agree that their registration information, including but not limited to their name, address and phone number, will be shared with Nestle, the Morton Chamber of Commerce, and the Morton Pumpkin Festival in order that release documents or other forms may be forwarded to them in the hope of using their recipe on VeryBestBaking.com or other Nestle web or social media sites. This information will not be added to any Nestle marketing lists.  Please note that this does not state or imply any promise that the recipe(s) will be used on any Nestle web or social media sites, but allows the Sponsor to release the information to Nestle should it be requested. 

Categories & Winnings

  • Adult Sweet

  • Adult Savory

  • Junior Division (ages 10 to 17)

1st Place in the Adult and Junior categories will receive $100 in Chamber Checks and 2nd Places will receive $35 in Chamber Checks! Winners of the Junior and Adult categories will compete for the $150 Overall Grand Prize. All youth entrants will receive a participation ribbon and all participants will receive Pumpkin Bucks to be used at the food venues on Festival grounds. The first 25 contestants to register will receive a Libby’s Goodie Bag. 

Winners will be recognized on the Pumpkin Festival Entertainment Stage on Thursday, September 11th beginning at 6:30pm.

SPONSORED BY: