The Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council has announced the winners of its annual “Get Wild with Wild Rice” recipe contest. Laura Kurella of Wellston, MI, claimed the Grand Prize for her bold and flavorful Wildly Robust Beans & Rice Birria Bites, while 13-year-old Cameron Miller of Blaine, MN, earned the People’s Choice Award for his Minnesota Wild Rice Turkey Pinwheels.
Laura, a self-taught home cook and long-time wild rice enthusiast, was stunned to finally hear her name announced as the Grand Prize winner after three consecutive years as the People’s Choice award recipient. “I couldn’t believe it,” Laura said. “It literally took a few beats for it to finally sink in. I was simply stunned by the news!”
Laura first entered the “Get Wild with Wild Rice” recipe contest in 2021 after encouragement from a close friend and Minnesota native, and over the years she’s become a beloved name among wild rice fans for her imaginative recipes. Laura believes that the food we eat should nourish and heal and likes incorporating wild rice into her dishes as it is a balanced food source, providing a healthy mix of protein and fiber with relatively low calories compared to brown and white rice.
This year’s People’s Choice Award went to Cameron Miller, an aspiring young chef who impressed voters with his flavorful and easy Minnesota Wild Rice Turkey Pinwheels. Miller was inspired to enter the contest after watching the Council’s cooking demonstrations at the Minnesota State Fair. He took every opportunity to share his recipe, sampling at his school, and at his parents’ workplaces, earning the votes of those who got to taste his creation.
Laura won the People’s Choice award for the three previous years and is very glad to be sharing the spotlight with a youth contender. “I am genuinely so happy for Cameron! It’s so important for kids to learn how to make food from scratch. It builds confidence, connection, and healthy eating habits. His excitement about cooking uplifts me and I can’t wait to see where his skills take him,” Laura said.
Cameron is very excited to step into the spotlight for a recipe he developed himself. “I like trying new things and learning how to make different kinds of food,” he said. “This was a fun way to share something I made with a lot of people. I am so glad people liked it!”
The Council’s latest recipe brochure, Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Recipes & Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, features contest winning recipes including soups, salads, sides, entrées, and even a dessert. To receive your free copy, send a self-addressed-stamped-envelope to: Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council, Newest Recipes, 4630 Churchill St #1, St. Paul, MN 55126.