The May 2024 issue of Kentucky Monthly magazine is guaranteed to make you hungry. The magazine just published its annual Food Issue, which once again features some mouth-watering recipes submitted by readers and aspiring Kentucky chefs, bakers and cooks! One of this year's finalists happens to be from Owensboro!

Kentucky Monthly says the Food Issue is "one of our favorite times of the year" because of their Reader Recipe Contest. According to the magazine, the entries, which come from all parts of the state, are judged on "appearance, creativity, ease of preparation, and - weighted highest of all - flavor." Each year, the magazine crowns a Grand Prize Winner and three finalists.

This year's Grand Prize Winner was Julie Hook, who hails from Carlisle County, Kentucky. Her recipe? She submitted Sweet & Spicy Smoked Gouda Bacon Dip.  For submitting the winning recipe, Julie snagged an overnight stay and breakfast the following morning at Riverside Inn Bed & Breakfast in Warsaw, Kentucky.

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There were also three finalists named and their recipes are featured in the May edition of Kentucky Monthly as well. Mary Perkins-Luketich submitted a ridiculously enticing recipe for Best Boozy Brownies and Kari Gavin from Union, Kentucky, shared her recipe for Miss K's Smokin' Mac & Cheese.

Merritt Bates-Thomas, who's from Owensboro, sweetened up the contest with her submission, which clearly wowed the judges. Her Luscious Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake is an explosion of lemons, blueberries, honey and yogurt!  It sounds and looks delicious. If you want to try it, pick up the May issue of Kentucky Monthly.

Merritt, of course, continues to build quite a name for herself in local culinary culture via other media as well. With her finalists recognition, she has mastered print. She's routinely featured on the TV show Local Lifestyles on WEHT. She appears monthly on WBKR's morning radio show segment "What's Cookin'?". She also shares recipes and nutrition advice on her Instagram page thekitchentransition.

To subscribe to Kentucky Monthly, CLICK HERE! A subscription is just $25 per year.

 

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