Apply now for a shot at Daily Herald Cook of the Week Challenge 2016

Are you the star cook among your friends and family, dazzling everyone with sumptuous holiday meals or weeknight potlucks? Do you talk to the television while watching cooking shows? Do you critique and/or coach the contestants on “Chopped?” Yes? Then I want to encourage you to throw your apron into the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Challenge 2016 ring.

In its sixth year, the Cook of the Week Challenge gives home cooks the chance to put their cooking creativity to the test.

If you've followed the contest in past years, you might have marveled at how ordinary cooks made extraordinary dishes out of ingredients as diverse as Cornish game hens, sardines and spicy Middle Eastern skhug. But they all started out by submitting an application. Visit http://events.dailyherald.com/cook-of-the-week/ and get your application in today.

Who knows, this year you could be the one holding the big spoon trophy.

The bracket-style, friendly challenge, founded in 2011, has grown bigger and better each year. It's about celebrating food, challenging yourself and having fun. Sixteen contestants will compete by offering up recipes in the first challenge round, putting a creative spin on four secret ingredients.

Sound scary? Relax, contestants have about a week to work their magic, research and taste-test their creations. A panel of celebrity judges will examine, critique and assign a score to each recipe. One winner will emerge from each challenge.

In the first round, eight contestants will move on, and eight will be eliminated. In the second round, four contestants will move on, and four will be eliminated. The final four will compete in a live cook-off Nov. 1 at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca. Your family, friends and neighbors come out to cheer you on, see celebrity chefs' cooking demonstrations, meet the sponsors and sample their wares. And the winner will take home a prize package worth more than $1,500.

It's the second year the cook-off is booked at the Westin. The hotel's spacious meeting rooms turned auditorium can accommodate more people than ever, yet this live event sells out each year. I'll keep you updated on ticket availability. For now, you can read a little more about the contest, fill out an application for the Cook of the Week Challenge and get some helpful contest hints at http://events.dailyherald.com/cook-of-the-week/. Applications are due July 20.

Susan Stark is the Assistant News Editor for Food and Neighbor. Reach her at sstark@dailyherald.com, on Facebook or on Twitter @SusanNBR1.