Honey is making a splash in the culinary world this year thanks to its versatility and recipe-boosting benefits. The world’s top chefs use it; now the National Honey Board wants to hear from cooks of all abilities about their favorite ways of incorporating honey into dishes and treats.

photo courtesy of the National Honey Board

The contest kicked off August 2 and runs through September 15. To enter, just visit Honey.com and submit your original or favorite recipe that includes 100% pure honey by 11:59 pm on September 15, 2010.

Prizes

Winners will be chosen randomly to take home one of three Le Creuset® cookware prizes!

• The sweet grand prize is a nine-piece Le Creuset® cookware set with a retail value of $1,600.
• Second prize is a five-piece Le Creuset® cookware set valued at $500. 
• Third prize is a Le Creuset® Dijon Honey Pot and honey gift basket, approximate retail value $200.

To learn more, including entry directions and contest rules, visit Honey.com.

I hope you’ll take this opportunity to enter and share a recipe and perhaps invite your friends and family to do the same.

photo courtesy of the National Honey Board

The Endangered Honey Bear

Overlooked in the pantry in recent years, the iconic honey bear is reestablishing itself as the #1 secret ingredient for foodies everywhere. The Food Channel even named honey as a top food trend (check out the declaration here!). To help bolster the honey bear’s comeback and ensure it stays off the “endangered” list for good, the National Honey Board is encouraging everyone to use more honey. If you’re looking for 100% pure honey, make sure the label only has one ingredient: honey. Your local grocery store and farmers markets are perfect places to find 100% pure honey.

About the National Honey Board

The National Honey Board is a federal research and promotion board under USDA oversight that conducts research, marketing and promotion programs to help maintain and expand markets for honey and honey products. These programs are funded by an assessment of one cent per pound on domestic and imported honey.