In 1999, she was a winner in The Journal's dessert contest. It's fun, and it's my way of relaxing. Often his tastes and the judges' don't match. But he does like her winning chicken pilaf. Contests have evolved over the years Miranda has been competing.
Contests place far more emphasis on quick and easy recipes than in the past.
Trends change, too. At the chicken contest, many of the finalists incorporated fruit into their dishes. Miranda had met the man who won first prize in this year's chicken contest at an earlier competition. That time, his wife was the contestant. She rubs the roasting chicken with Jamaican jerk seasoning blend, which also gives the gravy a great flavor.