Montgomery, AL – Laughter, cheer, and the aroma of fresh fruit filled the air at the Alabama Farmers Federation home office on September 5, as the organization hosted its annual Heritage Cooking Contest. The competition featured 25 non-congealed fruit salad recipes from across the state, with Tuscaloosa County’s Cindy Landers taking first place for her unique Strawberry Crack Salad—a dish she’s only prepared a few times.
“I’m just so excited and surprised to win,” said Landers, a retired schoolteacher. “I love trying recipes and creating new things. My inspiration for this came from my husband Mark’s love of strawberries and pecans.”
The Landers, cattle and hay farmers in Northport, also have a connection to the pecan industry, with Mark harvesting pecans from their farm. Cindy Landers shared how her husband’s hard work influenced her winning dish.
“We had an abundance of pecans from the farm that he’s been shelling, cracking, and freezing,” she explained. “He appreciates the land and what comes from it. That’s why I was glad to share our farm-fresh product with others.”
The judges praised the standout combination of salty pretzels, Alabama-grown pecans, and fresh strawberries, all of which elevated Landers’ dish above the other creative entries. For her win, Landers received $150 from the Federation’s Women’s Leadership Division.
Second place went to Montgomery County’s Katie Hicks for Sue Sue’s Fruit Salad, earning her $100, while Lee County’s Mary Richburg took third place and $50 with her Mango Avocado Salad with Blueberries.
In addition to the cooking contest, the crowd was entertained and educated by Janet Johnson of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, a regional Extension agent specializing in food safety and quality. She shared kitchen tips and tricks with the eager participants.
Kim Earwood, who leads the Federation’s Women’s Leadership Division, commended the high-quality dishes and the sense of unity among contestants.
“This event is always special,” said Earwood. “Seeing the contestants come together to celebrate each other is such a rewarding moment for me and the entire State Women’s Leadership Committee. Each dish was delicious, but at the end of the day, this is about building camaraderie among women in agriculture.”
Winners:
- 1st Place: Cindy Landers, Strawberry Crack Salad
- 2nd Place: Katie Hicks, Sue Sue’s Fruit Salad
- 3rd Place: Mary Richburg, Mango Avocado Salad with Blueberries
Click here for recipes of all the entries.
