Announcement:
The Winners of the Pantry Paratus Photo Contest 2013
We were inspired. And we burned the midnight oil reviewing and re-reviewing the pictures you sent to us, because we wanted to give every photo the full opportunity to walk away with a title. Although that just is not possible, we decided to add a whole new winning title—honorable mention—to highlight even more of the foods, flavors, colors and cans you sent our way.
Each person listed in “Honorable Mention” receives a $5.00 credit to be used at Pantry Paratus however they choose. If you see your photo below, check your email!
Apart from the addition of our logo and resizing for the blog, each photo is otherwise untouched or edited, staying exactly as it was submitted by the contestant.
Honorable Mention:
Erika submitted her Kiwi Jam. Why haven’t I ever thought of kiwi jam?
Jan shares her favorite pickling recipe. “We pickled Cauliflower, pearl onions, carrots, jalapeño, red pepper, garlic and dill. It is so delicious! We tried this last year for the first time and loved it so much we just did this last weekend.”
Kimber shares her favorite spot in the house (and she listed the contents of every jar–it’s important to know what you have!). Her food is so beautiful, I just did not have the heart to slap our logo over any of it. Pretend it’s there.
Tianna‘s pickles are beautiful on their own merit, but the terra cotta pots in the background that imply her efforts to produce her harvest (as well as preserving it) definitely set this picture apart.
Pam’s Blackberry Jam–the flowers, the lighting, the background. Good job in setting the stage and making our mouths water.
Jackie submitted a photo for each category, and each category had an honorable mention for her! The couny fair photo is unlike anything else we received, and the symmetry of the jars and ribbons caught our eye. The bright foods against the stark white background was very attractive.
Jackie’s peaches will give her a wonderful taste of summer throughout the winter months ahead. It is also obvious that she took some time to format the picture in a very appealing way.
Michelle’s picture is one of the most inspiring to me. She and her husband are actively pursuing their dreams of self-sufficiency. These are new skills, but they are determined to learn them. As they do, they display their efforts on their “self-sufficiency wall” to as daily encouragement to keep pushing toward their goals of sustainability. Keep going, Michelle!
Lurley’s dehydrated refried beans reminded us that the possibilities are endless! You can preserve the foods that are traditional and comforting for you, and it is not all “jams and jellies”.
Katy’s pickles show the sheer abundance that many of you experience, and there was something about her choice of photo editing that reminded us of Grandma’s pickles.
Jen, congratulations on your first time using a pressure canner! Your carrots are beautiful and you should be proud. Keep learning!
Patty labeled her foods in her photos, and even staged the corresponding fruits and vegetables in the photos.
Angie makes custom labels for her jars, and she showed them off with this creative picture.
Mark prepares the year’s herb harvest for drying: sage, thyme, oregano, and rosemary.
Inspired yet?
Now, onto the winners!
Category 1: Canning Photos
3rd Place Winner: Kathi R. submitted this beautiful picture of homemade chicken stock. I feel nourished just looking at it.
2nd Place Winner: Kathie L. is a pro at canning (literally–she teaches classes at a community college), and she understands the importance of a clean, organized kitchen.
1st Place Winner: Andie & Gene H. grow and can most of their produce themselves. In two weeks’ time, they canned a batch of each of the crops you see represented below.
Category 2: Food Preservation Photos
3rd Place: Jordan B. gives a clear picture of the process involved in making plum leather. Not only is each individual picture is well composed, the end “scrapbook page” not only tells the story but beautifully frames the pictures into one award-winning photo.
2nd Place: Jamie C. knows the value of beekeeping, and the sunlight through the jars highlights the liquid gold. Wilson was quick to notice the plants in the background that the bees rather enjoyed, I am sure.
1st Place: Karen L. prizes her homemade fruit leathers, emphasizing them with her homemade label. We loved the rustic wooden table, the tightly rolled leathers in the jar, with a few casually placed leathers that allow you to see them individually.
GRAND PRIZE WINNER…
Heather M., with her “little canning efforts and big helpers”.
Be blessed, be nourished, and be inspired.
–Chaya & Wilson
Pantry Paratus
Curious about the rules, judging criteria, or prizes given for the Pantry Paratus Photo Contest 2013? Find all of that here! Just so you know how much fun this was, though–we asked each winner several questions. We asked things like “what would you like to learn next?” and about what kitchen skills they currently use (like bread baking, fermenting, etc). We then created a package to meet their winning prize value based on their answers. The responses have been overwhelming. It very much was like an early Christmas.
All photos are property of Pantry Paratus. Please feel free to share this (tweet, pin, etc), but please keep proper attribution and the link when you do. Our photography winners deserve to have their proper recognition!