Official Contest Rules

Void outside the 50 United States and where prohibited. Do not proceed to enter this contest if you are not at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of, and located within, one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia at the time of entry. Internet access and photo uploading capability required to enter.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

The “Holiday Dessert Baking Challenge” Contest begins November 2, 2009, and ends December 31, 2009.  Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m., C.T., on December 31, 2009.

ENTRY:  Visit http://www.mixingbowl.com/grp/HolidayDessertBakingChallenge and click on the links to complete the registration.  Then follow the links and instructions to upload one or more of your best original Holiday Dessert recipes using Butter as an ingredient and corresponding photo(s) of the prepared dish (recipe and photo collectively referred to herein as “Entry Materials”). Multiple entries will be accepted but each entry must be for a separate and unique recipe.
Recipes and photos of recipes must be created by entrant, non-professional, unpublished, and may not have won any prize or award.

ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older.  Employees of Meredith Corporation d/b/a Mixing Bowl, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA, 50309 (“Sponsor”), and any other organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion and/or their respective agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and members of their immediate families or persons residing at the same address are not eligible.
 
THERE WILL BE TWO ROUNDS OF JUDGING:

First Round:  From November 2, 2009, through 11:59 p.m., C.T., on December 31, 2009, visitors to the contest website may vote for the entry that they consider the most appealing Holiday Dessert recipes using Butter/photo from among the eligible entries received.  One vote per person (with a valid e-mail address) per day.  At the end of voting, the top 20% of entries by number of votes will be Finalists and will move on to the Second Round.  In the event of a tie in determining the top 20%, all tied entries will move on to the Second Round. Sponsor reserves the right to select fewer than 20% of entrants as Finalists if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified entries.  Decisions of judges are final and binding in all respects.  Voting results are unofficial until verified by Sponsor.


Second Round: On or about January 15, 2010, a qualified panel of judges selected by Sponsor will select one (1) Grand Prize winner from among Finalist recipes entries based equally on adherence to the contest “Holiday Dessert Baking Challenge” theme and overall quality of the recipe.  In the event of a tie, the Finalist with the highest score in the overall quality of the recipe will be deemed the grand prize winner.  Decisions of judges are final and binding in all respects.

PRIZE: One (1) Grand Prize will be awarded. The grand prize winner will receive a baking prize package, which may include items such as: stand mixer, non-stick bakeware, mixing bowl set, non-stick rolling pin, cooling racks, measuring set, and silicone baking mat, spatulas, flour sifter; approximate retail value $500. Potential winner will be notified by email and/or mail and the prize delivered approximately thirty (30) days from date of winner verification.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize (or portions thereof) of equal or greater value if prize (or portions thereof) cannot be awarded as described. Sponsor will determine all elements of prizing in its sole discretion. Prize may not be assigned, transferred, changed, or redeemed for cash, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor.  Prize is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee express or implied. Sponsor disclaims all and any liability for the actual provision, quality or nature of any third party product or service accepted by the winner. The awarding of any prize is contingent upon full compliance with these Official Rules.  Entrants agree to be bound by Official Rules and agree that if winner fails to provide proof of identity, refuses to provide required affidavit, is found to have violated the Official Rules or otherwise does not meet eligibility criteria, prize will be forfeited and awarded to the entry with the next highest score. Entrants understand that Sponsor is not liable for injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising from participation in this promotion and acceptance, possession and use of prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the contest or in the announcement of the prize. Decisions of Sponsor are final and binding in all respects. 

PRIVACY:  By entering and providing the required entry information, you acknowledge that Sponsor may also send you information, samples or special offers it believes may be of interest to you about its publications or other complementary goods or services offered by Sponsor. Information collected from online entrants is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy at www.mixingbowl.com. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SHARE YOUR INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THIS PROMOTION.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION:  Except where prohibited, by participating Contest entrants agree that:  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participant(s) and Sponsor and its agents shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law of any jurisdiction. Entrant agrees that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to this Contest, or awarding of the prize, shall be filed only in the state or federal courts located in the State of New York and entrant hereby consents and submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purposes of litigating any such action. Except where prohibited, by participating in this Contest, entrant agrees that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or awarding of the prize, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with participating in this Contest but in no event attorneys' fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any participant be permitted to obtain awards for and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitations or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above may not apply to you.
 
OTHER:  Sponsor assumes no responsibility for entries it is unable to process due to network, hardware or other technical failures; or any other reason, or incomplete, damaged, misdirected, or lost entries.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process, the operation of the web site or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules. Sponsor further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate or modify this promotion if not capable of completion as planned, including infection by computer virus, technical corruption, non-authorized human intervention or force majeure, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity of the sweepstakes.  In the event of cancellation, Sponsor reserves the right to select winner from among all eligible entries received prior to date of cancellation.  The use of automated entry systems or any other conduct that impedes the integrity of the contest is prohibited.  In the event of a dispute regarding online entry, entry will be deemed made by the holder of an established e-mail account associated with the entry.

GENERAL:  By entering the Contest, entrants authorize the Sponsor to use their name, voice, likeness, biographical data, city and state of residence and Entry Materials in promotional material and for advertising, public relations and editorial purposes worldwide, in perpetuity, or on a winner’s list, if applicable, without further compensation unless prohibited by law.  Sponsor is not obligated to use any of the above-mentioned information or materials, but may do so, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, without further obligation or compensation.

Except where prohibited by law, potential winner will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Ownership/Liability Release, Publicity Release and License of Pre-Existing Work within ten (10) days of notification or the entry with the next highest score may become an alternate winner. If winner notification is returned as undeliverable, the entry with the next highest number of votes may become an alternate winner.  By participating and winning a prize, winner releases Sponsor, and its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and agencies and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability with respect to the prize won and participation in the contest.  Subject to all U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations.  Void where prohibited.  Taxes on prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. The grand prize winner’s name will be posted at www.mixingbowl.com, on or about February 15, 2010.