• Open to teens and adults, anyone 13 years of age or older
• No skills or profession-based classifications at this time

• 2-D/Flat Cookies
• 3-D Cookies (defined as cookies that are constructed/engineered to create a freestanding, dimensional piece of cookie art)

• Scored on a 70 point system for 2-D/Flat Cookies; 90 point system for 3-D Cookies
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be chosen in each category
• Each entry will receive a score card with judges’ comments on Sept 24th 2023. 

(10 points awarded across each of 7 criteria for a total of 70 points)

1. Interpretation of theme-Music of NJ (songs about NJ, made in NJ, sang by NJ artist, etc)
2. Number and difficulty of decorating techniques used (Decorating techniques include, but are not limited to, outlining/flooding, dipping, dimensional pressure piping, wet-on-wet/marbling,
   stenciling, airbrushing, painting, stamping, fondant work, edible paperwork, isomalt, etc.)
3. Mastery of techniques used
4. Cleanliness of icing/covering and cookies
5. Originality of cookie designs.
6. Setup/display (Edible plates, platters, or other display pieces will be awarded more
   points.)
7. Overall appeal

(10 points awarded across each of 9 criteria for a total of 90 points)

1. Interpretation of theme-Music 
2. Number and difficulty of decorating techniques used (Decorating techniques include, but are not limited to, outlining/flooding, dipping, dimensional pressure piping, wet-on-wet/marbling,
   stenciling, airbrushing, painting, stamping, fondant work, edible paperwork, isomalt, etc.)
3. Number and difficulty of construction techniques used (Construction techniques
   include, but are not limited to, contouring dough, embossing or molding dough, stacked or sandwiched 3-D constructions, 3-D mitered corner constructions, cookies on sticks, etc.)
4. Mastery of decorating and construction techniques used
5. Cleanliness of individual cookie elements and 3-D construction
6. Scale, balance, and viewability of 3-D construction (from all angles)
7. Originality of design.
8. Setup/display (Edible plates, platters, or other display pieces will be awarded more
   points.)
9. Overall appeal

• Registration must be completed and paid for by September 1, 2023; no entries will be
  accepted after that time.
• All entrants must check in at the registration desk before being escorted to the vendor
  hall.
• There is no limit on the number of entries per person.
• Upon arrival at the show, each entry will receive an identification number that will be
  attached to the cookie display base to assist in judging.
• Absolutely no other identifying markings should be on or near the entry (i.e., no
  personal names of entrants, business names, logos, business cards, etc.). Likewise, the entrant must maintain the anonymity of his/her entry until judging is complete (i.e., the entrant cannot display entry on social media or show entry to judges in advance).
• Entrants must submit a completed entry form that contains the entrant’s identification
  number, category, theme interpretation, description of techniques used, and a minimum of three work-in-process photos.
• Entry must be made, in its entirety, by the entrant. Faux or store-bought cookies or icing
  cannot be used. No one else can assist with the entry. No machined or laser-cut cookie parts are allowed.
• Entry cannot have been previously entered in another competition, show, or exhibition. The work must be fresh and tailored to this competition’s theme.
• Remember: Originality is rewarded in this competition!
• Any items that could be construed by judges as inedible should be clearly identified by on the entrant’s entry form. Exception for 3-D Cookie Category: Internal supports are
  discouraged, but allowed if they are clearly visible to judges (without looking at any
  work-in-process photos) and can easily be removed from the cookie(s) if they were to
  be eaten (i.e., such as cookie pops).
• Entry must contain a minimum of 12 clearly identified cookies. There is no maximum
  number of cookies or overall size requirement for the entry.
• Entrant must conduct her/himself in an ethical and professional manner. Good
  sportsmanship matters!
• Set up must be completed by 7:30 pm, September 22, 2023.
• Judging will take place September 23, 2023.
• Winners will be announced in the afternoon September 23, 2023.
• Entries are not permitted to leave the vendor hall until 3 pm, September 24, 2023.
• Entries must be removed from the display area between 3 pm – 6 pm, September 24, 2023. Any items, cookies, displays, etc. remaining after 6 pm will be disposed of by the staff.
• All entries will be photographed and shared on this website and social media. By
  entering the competition, you are giving us permission to share pictures.
• Judges reserve the right to deduct points or to remove or disqualify any entry they feel
  violates rules or doesn’t meet requirements.
• Judges’ decisions are final.

Theme: Music of NJ (songs about NJ, made in NJ, sang by NJ artist,etc)

• Again, a minimum of 12 individual cookies is required. These individual cookies must be
  flat, but they can be displayed in an upright position. The cookies can be touching, but
  they should not be overlapping. Judges should be able to clearly see all parts of each
  individual cookie without moving any of them.

Theme: Music 

• Again, a minimum of 12 individual cookies is required. These cookies must conform to
  the competition’s definition of 3-D, meaning all (12 or more) cookies in the entry must
  be constructed/engineered to create a freestanding, dimensional piece of cookie art. All cookies included in the construction must be clearly identified on the entrant’s entry
  form.
• Internal supports are discouraged, but allowed if they are clearly visible to judges
  (without looking at any work-in-process photos) and can easily be removed from the
  cookie(s) if they were to be eaten (i.e., such as cookie pops).
• All 12 (or more) cookies needn’t be joined together, but at least 12 cookies must be freestanding (i.e., standing up) either alone or in smaller groupings, and, taken together, all 12 (or more) cookies must form a cohesive 3-D composition. Flat cookies (i.e., laying down) can be included in the entry, but they will not count toward the minimum requirement of 12 cookies.
• Solitary flat cookies (i.e., laying down and not joined to any other cookie) can be included in the entry, but they will not count toward the minimum requirement of 12 cookies.