When Irish eyes are smiling around Troy, much of the reason is the tempting dishes that await the gallery following the judging of the Irish Celebration Cooking Contest at Troy University.

This year’s Irish Celebration Cooking Contest will be from 11 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, March 17, at the Trojan Center Food Court. The deadline for entry is March 12. However, Bronda Barron, university event publicity chair, said the deadline is flexible and no one with a dish will be turned away.

The contest is divided into five categories – salads/appetizers, main entrees, side dishes/vegetables, desserts and breads.

Entries will be judged on taste, originality and presentation. First and second prizes will be awarded in each category and a “Best of Show” overall prize will be awarded.

“You may enter one or all five categories but only one entry per category,” Barron said. “The entries need to be Irish is some way. That’s what green food coloring and imaginative names are for.”

Barron said the competition really heated up for last year’s Irish Celebration Cooking Contest and this year, the word is that the Troy king of Irish cooking, Gary Chinberg, is going to really have some stiff competition. Chinberg is a perennial winner in the Irish Celebration Cooking Contest. “Gary enjoys cooking and he enjoys the competition,” Barron said, adding that anyone who enjoys either cooking and competing or both will enjoy the Irish Celebration Cooking Contest.

Entry forms are available at the Troy University Office of Development, 1120 Highway 231 in Troy, or by calling 670-5843. There is no entry fee for the Irish Celebration Cooking Contest.

All entries should be checked-in at the Trojan Center no later than 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17.