Does anyone know of any competition or contests here in the NJ/NYC area? I've searched online, but didn't come up with anything. There has to be something! No? If anyone in this area knows of anything like this, I'd love to find out more about it. Thanks!

'Am in PA, so no local suggestions, but the one thing I've found online today is the "Atlantic Bakery Expo." The info from 2002 is here, and I'm pretty sure I saw 2004 updates on either that website or another while searching. http://www.rbanet.com/events/marketplace2002.htm

And while I'm posting to the resident Cookieman, I found a site last night called cookiedecorating.com that I also recommended to be added to the links here. A couple of the techniques on that site are new to me, and the site has some nice ideas. And again, kitchengifts.com is a fabulous resource for cookie decorating.

Anyway, I would think--and hope!--that any of the culinary schools would know of local contests, so maybe that's worth checking into. And I found more results online searching under "competition" than under "contest," for what that's worth. Good luck.

Thanks Tenderheart. You're always on the ball! The sites you posted are helpful. And your suggestion to contact local cooking schools is excellent! thanks again.