She magazine cookie contest is Thursday

The search is on for the best cookies in the area, and on Thursday, Nov. 5, area cooks can bring a batch of six each of their best cookies, along with the recipe, to the Fort Scott Tribune, 12 E. Wall, Fort Scott, or Nevada Daily Mail offices, 131 S. Cedar, Nevada for a chance to win cash and other prizes. The top winner in the Most Creative category will win $25 cash plus "The Ultimate Cookie Cookbook" from Cavener's Library and Office Supply in Nevada.

It's SHE magazine's first-ever cookie contest.

Here's how it works:

All cookie elements must be edible, and entries must be received by 2 p.m., unless a prior arrangement is made with contest coordinators.

First round judging will be conducted by randomly selected Daily Mail or Fort Scott Tribune staff, then the big event will take place at the Nevada Daily Mail offices at 5 p.m., when Weekend Herald-Tribune food columnist Martha Scott will choose the top winners.

"Holiday time is baking time, so what better way to celebrate SHE magazine's first anniversary than with a cookie contest! I'm really looking forward to giving area cooks the chance to show off their favorite creations and a chance to win some dough along with it," said SHE magazine and Herald-Tribune editor Lynn A. Wade. "I know there are lots of you out there who make fantastic holiday cookies, and I can't wait to see them. My only regret is that I won't be one of the judges. Maybe they'll save me some crumbs."

Any man, woman or child who wishes to do so can enter and there's no entry fee.

Each person can enter up to two entries in each category.

Categories are: bar cookies, traditional cookies and most creative.

Bar cookies and traditional cookies (this means rolled, dropped, or otherwise shaped cookies; anything but a bar) will be judged on taste, texture and appearance. All elements of the cookie must be edible and cookies must be home-made; cookies made from store-bought cookie dough are ineligible in these classes.

For each entry in these two categories, bring six cookies for the judges. The top two entries in each of these categories will earn first round finalist prizes of $25 and move on to the final judging by our celebrity judge. Top winners' cookies will be featured in SHE magazine.

Entries in the most creative category may consist of one cookie or one cookie creation (for example, a gingerbread house could be entered, so long as all elements are edible). These will not be judged on taste. Rather, we'll photograph the cookies and they'll be judged on appearance alone. Entrants in this category may title their entries. Only one winner will be selected in this category and the winner will be featured in SHE magazine.

When contestants bring in cookies the morning of Nov. 5, they'll be asked to complete a short entry form and questionnaire.

"Good luck to everyone, and we hope to see you Nov. 5," Wade said.