Meet the Judges

Wow, we have quite a challenge ahead of us. With 160 entries, we'll be testing and tasting our way down to a total of 9 finalists - 3 finalists in each category. Visit the contest photo album on our Facebook page for a chance to see the recipes up close and personal. Like what you see? Click on the photo. The link to the recipe is included in every caption. Happy hunting!

On April 8th, a panel of judges will gather to taste the 9 final recipes and decide on a $2,000 grand prize winner in each category. A runner-up will be chosen for each and will recieve a $200 gift card to Williams-Sonoma. We've chosen a panel of top-notch food editors to assist in this daunting task. Meet the judges!

Sue Johnson-Langdon

Sue is the Executive Director of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission. She married a sweet potato farmer back in 1970 and has been sweet talkin' these botanical beauties ever since. Officially known as Sweet Sue, her enthusiasm and knowledge of sweet potatoes will be a great asset during the judging.

Maggie Shi

Maggie is a deputy editor at RealSimple.com, where she covers food, money, work and life. She also does regular posts on their blog Simply Stated. Maggie has never met a vegetable she didn't like and is obsessed with anything edible, which currently include breakfast tacos, boiled peanuts and hot lobster rolls.

Beth Lipton

Beth is the Food Editor at All You magazine and has her own dessert blog CookiePie. She is obsessed with all things food - baking, cooking, reading food magazines and cookbooks. As a judge, she'll get to sit back and do mostly eating which I'm sure is at the top of her list of hobbies.

Ben Mims

Ben is Associate Food Editor at Saveur magazine. Not only is Ben a professional recipe developer and food researcher, he is also originally from down south - a dynamic combination for a sweet potato contest judge. Does your recipe meet Ben's standards? You'll find out on April 8th!

Jennifer Perillo

Jennifer is the Food Editor at Working Mother magazine. She focuses on family-friendly recipes for busy lifestyles. Jennifer's fun yet practical approach to food makes her the perfect judge for our kid-friendly category. Visit her blog, In Jennie's Kitchen, for her personal recipes that nourish her daughters and husband.