Since 2009, Catherine Lambrecht has judged Family Heirloom Recipes contests. Contestants enter their best scratch family heirloom recipe suitable for a family or community dinner. The recipe should have originated 50 years ago or earlier. Contestants bring to the fair a prepared dish along with a history of who passed the recipe down to them.

This presentation offers an opportunity to follow the judging experience with curated histories, recipes and pictures of displays presented as submitted at the Illinois State Fair (2009-2019). The prepared recipes may have been submitted simply in their transport container, or more elaborately on the family’s china with relevant props of family pictures, kitchen paraphernalia and sometimes their loved one’s handwritten recipe.

What will be highlighted are the wonderful stories collected.

How a contestant wanted a judge to settle a long-debated family argument, which is better: green or white asparagus soup?

A right of passage as a young boy’s pet pig may become his breakfast

    A family of mushroom collectors preserves old country traditions