Calling all student bakers

The California Raisin Marketing Board (CRMB) is calling on entries from student and professional bakers for the third annual America's Best Raisin Bread Contest. The contest, open now through Aug. 16, has expanded the categories of artisan and commercial breads to now include breakfast breads such as rolls, pastries, scones and coffee cakes containing California raisins.

Preliminary judging will take place in September to select three finalists from each student category to participate in the final bake-off, which will take place at the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan, Kan., Oct. 14 to 16. The winners will receive a five-day California vacation with visits to the Culinary Institute of America, Yosemite National Park and the San Joaquin Valley--the home of California raisins.

The contest application, complete set of rules and examples of past winning formulas are available online.