The Second Annual America’s Best Raisin Bread Contest is off to a strong start, according to the California Raisin Marketing Board (CRMB).

By opening up the teacher and student portions of the contest this year, the Fresno, Calif.-based board is receiving applications from faculty and students at Kendall College, the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University and Cordon Bleu Schools, to name a few. 
 
“We’re also expecting that baking technologists at industrial ingredients companies will also step up participation,” says Larry Blagg, CRMB senior vice president of marketing. “’We’ve sent several applications out to them, even though the entry form is now on the Web site.”
 
All of last year’s judges for the contests are back again, Blagg adds.

“We’re quite pleased that we’ll have a solid program again this year,” he says.

To obtain an entry form and rules on the contest, go to www.loveyourraisins.com.