Judges for the 71st annual Cookbook Contest, Amy Phelps, Jess Mancini, Kiki Angelos, Rosalie Snyder and Cheryl Oplinger, taste test recipes on Wednesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

PARKERSBURG — Twelve recipes were put to the test for the 71st annual Cookbook Contest held by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel/The Marietta Times on Wednesday.

This year’s theme was “Cook of All Trades.” Contestants for this year were asked to submit recipes under four categories: Food Truck Favorites, Family Heirlooms, One Pot Wonders and Baked Goods Battle.

The panel of judges included Cheryl Oplinger, Rosalie Snyder, Kiki Angelos, Jess Mancini and Amy Phelps.

There were a total of 78 recipes submitted for the contest.

Sean Carlton was one of three contenders for the One Pot Wonders catering and submitted a smoked rabbit entree.

“You don’t see a lot of recipes for rabbit in general and most people treat it kind of like a novelty protein,” said Carlton. “We’re trying to try to make it a staple again.”

Carlton and his wife moved to Parkersburg about two years ago and decided to start a farm as a way to feed themselves. He said they’ve been raising their own rabbits for about a year now and he smokes all kinds of meats.

“It takes about three hours to smoke the rabbit and doesn’t include the time it takes to process the meat,” he said. “But once you do that it takes about 15 minutes to add the dry rub and the vegetables and throw it into a pan and put it on the smoker.”

He said this was his first year entering the Cookbook Contest and he heard about it from the newspaper online.

The contestants included individuals who were either new to the contest or had been participating for over 50 years.

The grand prize is a $500 check and the winner will be announced Nov. 19.

The other winners were:

Food Truck Favorites

* First: Taco Bites – Sheila Dye

* Second: Loaded Baked Potato Dip – Debra Carouthers

Family Heirlooms

* First: Butternut Squash – Rhonda Milliron

* Second: Brussels Sprouts – Midge Simpers

One Pot Wonders

* First: Smoked Rabbit – Sean Carlton

* Second: Skillet Casserole – Sherry Noland

* Third: Skillet Italiano – Bob Crocker

Baked Goods Battle

* First: Apple Bundt Cake – Anna Dean

* Second: Millionaire’s Shortbread – Linda Barnette

* Third: Dubai Brownies – Stephanie Parsons

* Fourth: Cinnamon Rolls – Linda Pearson Dally

* Fifth: Bread Pudding – Tammy Morrison

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com.