My inner chef just came out. . .

I'll do anything for free kitty litter, Fancy Feast or Purina Cat Chow. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm sure you remember when I had you all voting like mad in the Ultra Pet Photo contest that we unfortunately didn't win due to what Andrea believed to be the result of an evil conspiracy. But that's another story.

My major food expense is cat-oriented,thanks to dinners cooked and served at the significant other's home. Wasabi can whip through bags of expensive Temptation treats almost as fast as Ginger can down a 59 cent can of Savory Salmon. Benard has turned me on to the world of coupons, and I've learned to buy Fancy Feast 24 cans at a time to save a dollar!

But back to the really free stuff, like a year's worth, for goodness sakes. I, who can barely boil water, have entered Fancy Feast's new "Tastemaker's" recipe contest on line. My task. . to create a recipe for a new cat flavor that will win me a year's worth of their expensive "Elegant Medleys" brand of cat food. Don't tell them that my not-so-elegant cats turn up their noses at the exotic "Medley" flavors. . .they are strictly salmon eaters. . .but there is no need for the powers that be at Fancy Feast to know that. If I win it, they will learn to love it, believe me.

The contest provides you with a number of "Protein Sources", "Accents" and "Sauces" from which I had to pick and choose to create my recipe. (Those familiar with my culinary talents are now laughing hysterically.) I know you are dying to hear my entry, so here goes. . .

Inroducing. . . .PURRRFECT SUSHI BY WASABI & GINGER. . .A compelling combination of Yellow Fin Tuna & Shrimp, with a yummy Accent of Wild Rice, topped off by a dollop of Classic Gravy. (I trust you all caught the clever play on words in our recipe's title.)

Sounds almost good enough to eat, doesn't it? I also had to write our "inspiration story" about me, my cats and how we all adore Fancy Feast, and upload a photo of the three of us. That part was easy.

I hate to think of how many thousands of entries they will receive. . .cat food is damned expesive, especially when you have multiple pets who eat like there is no tomorrow. I'm putting my money on PURRRFECT SUSHI to win this race. At the very least we should end up with one free can for trying, don't you think?

Let's see now. . 365 cans @ .59 per. . that's $215.35 worth of cat food! Wow! Keep your fingers crossed. I'll keep you informed.