PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Kikkoman soy sauce, Quaker oatmeal, Muir Glen organic tomatoes and other Center Store brands will soon be sampled at Kings Super Markets here and at Meijer for a Cooking Light magazine event.
The publication named both companies its “Innovative Retailers of 2007” list for their food recipes and other health and wellness services. As such, both are sponsoring the magazine's 20th Anniversary “Cooking Light Ultimate Reader Recipe Contest.”
Inspired by one of the magazine's most popular columns, “Reader Recipes,” the 2007 contest covers four categories: starters and drinks; side salads and side dishes; entrees; and desserts.
“Cooking Light was looking for a couple of innovative retail partners to collaborate with in the contest, and reached out to Kings,” Cheryl Good, Kings' community relations manager, told SN.
Each submitted recipe must contain one or more of eight participating brands, which also include Cook's Ham, Benefiber and Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar. All entries must be received by April 30. Finalists will be announced in June and will participate in an Aug. 28 cook-off at the Kings Cooking Studio in its Short Hills, N.J., store. The winner will be announced at the cook-off and will receive a $20,000 grand prize. Four runners-up will each receive $5,000. The winners will be posted on www.cookinglight.com/cooking/perks and featured editorially in the January/February 2008 issue of Cooking Light.
As part of the partnership, Kings will host in-store samplings of the featured brands next month in 20 stores, Good said.
“At Kings, we have a unique opportunity to heighten the visibility of the contest not only in our stores, but also in our Cooking Studios,” she said. “This enhances excitement and value for our shoppers.”
Meijer, Grand Rapids, Mich., will conduct in-store demos of the brands in 20 stores this summer.
“This is a great way to enhance our own Healthy Living program,” said Shari Steinbach, Meijer's corporate dietitian. Healthy Living provides advice and information about the products and foods that can be part of a smart and healthy regimen.
While Kings has not partnered with Cooking Light before, Meijer has. The retailer teamed with Cooking Light's “Chef Billy,” who attended a women's expo Meijer recently sponsored, Steinbach said.
“We like working with Cooking Light because its philosophy is the same as our Healthy Living program,” she said.
Steinbach noted that “Simple Solutions for Healthy Living,” Healthy Living's tag line, fits with Cooking Light's theme.
“We focus on quick-and-easy recipes that have health benefits and are of good value, which is what Cooking Light is all about,” she said.
The partnership is equally beneficial for Cooking Light, a food and fitness magazine published by Southern Progress Corp., a Birmingham, Ala.-based subsidiary of Time Inc.
“We are excited that Kings Super Market, The Cooking Studio and Meijer have come on board as official 2007 Innovative Retail Partners for the 20th Anniversary Cooking Light Ultimate Reader Recipe Contest,” Chris Allen, the magazine's senior vice president and publishing director, said in a statement. “It's an exciting event, and holding various in-store promotions across the country will generate additional consumer enthusiasm for all involved.”
Kings is already promoting the contest on its website, www.kingscookingstudio.com.
“Kings is pleased to host the 3rd Annual Cooking Light Magazine's Ultimate Reader Recipe Contest,” the website reads. “Be one of 12 finalists who will compete in an on-site cook-off.”
Logos for both Meijer and Kings are featured in Cooking Light ads that promote the contest. The ads also tout the fact that both retailers are Cooking Light's 2007 innovative retailers.
The contest comes at a time when other retailers are encouraging shoppers to showcase their recipes.
Giant Food, Landover, Md., for instance has launched Kitch'N Kids, a recipe contest for children ages 7 to 14. Contestants must create a nutritious and delicious recipe for a snack using milk, cheese or yogurt. Prizes range from a Kitch'N Kids apron to the grand prize of $10,000 in savings bonds. The contest is being presented by Giant Food, 3-A-Day of Dairy, Dannon and Cabot.
The goal of the contest is to promote the health benefits of dairy products.
“Studies show that many children and adults do not get enough dairy,” said Andrea Astrachan, Giant Food's consumer advisor. “Dairy foods supply three of the five nutrients the government says are too low in children's diets — calcium, potassium and magnesium. Three servings of low-fat dairy each day is an easy way to meet daily requirements.”
All qualifying recipes must use a product by Cabot and Dannon or any store-brand milk, cheese or yogurt.
