As busy as we get here at Cookie Connection with writing tutorials, filming videos, posting photos, and all the other things that contribute to the learning and sharing of our fine craft, we are just as fully committed to the "celebrate" facet of our mission statement. We honor each other every day with our likes, comments, and shares, and each week in our Saturday Spotlights. But we also think it's important to celebrate in a bigger way - by taking a larger look at the cookie work that has most influenced and inspired us throughout the year!
And so, on this celebratory note, I officially open our annual Cookie Connection awards season! This year we've made our awards program bigger and better than ever. We've added categories and changed the nominations process to be both more inclusive and rigorous at the same time.
As before, you - the larger Cookie Connection community - will have voice in who gets honored - thus, our new name, the Cookiers' Choice Awards! (Thanks to Yankee Girl Yummies for this brainstorm!)
Last year, your views, likes, and comments on various photos determined who made it into our Saturday Spotlights and, therefore, to the finalist round. This year, we'll be accepting nominations from Cookie Connection members instead. This means that if a deserving cookier somehow flew under the radar of our site trending algorithms or Saturday Spotlights, s/he could still be eligible to earn a finalist spot.
So, from now until November 30, 2014 (5 pm central) December 7, 2014 (5 pm central), we'll be accepting nominations in the following four (yes, four!) categories. Please read the category selection criteria (descriptions) carefully before submitting your nomination ballot. You will only be given one opportunity to nominate just one person/business per category. All of the awards are international in scope and open to anyone anywhere, provided the nominee meets the criteria in each category description. Please note that Cookie Connection, its host/owner (that's me!), and Cookie Connection contributors are not eligible for nomination in any category.
Remember, these awards are based on merit, not popularity.
** Awards Categories **
Cookier of the Year: Awarded to the cookier whose collective portfolio of work posted to Cookie Connection most impressed the Cookie Connection community and awards judging panel. Cookie portfolios will be evaluated on technical difficulty, number of techniques used, mastery of techniques, originality, and overall design appeal/artistry. To be eligible, cookiers must have posted at least ten cookies (or cookie sets) to Cookie Connection between January 2014 and November 20, 2014. This category is open to professionals and hobbyists alike.
Cookie Educator of the Year: Awarded to a cookie artist, blogger, instructor, or other entity who is deemed by the Cookie Connection community and awards judging panel to have contributed most to advancing cookie decorating instruction in 2014. This category is open to both Cookie Connection members and non-members, and to both individuals and organizations.
Cookie Innovator of the Year: Awarded to the cookie artist, retailer, business, or business person who is deemed by the Cookie Connection community and awards judging panel to have most positively changed the cookie industry through a product or technique innovation introduced between January 2014 and November 20, 2014. This category is open to both Cookie Connection members and non-members, and to both individuals and organizations.
Cookie Philanthropist of the Year: Awarded to the cookie artist, retailer, business, or business person who is deemed by the Cookie Connection community and awards judging panel to have had the most positive impact on the non-cookie community in 2014 through their charitable work in the cookie arena. This category is open to both Cookie Connection members and non-members, and to both individuals and organizations.
** NOW, SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE! **
Note: You will be directed to our Surveys area to fill out a ballot, which will ask you to briefly explain the rationale for your nominations. Incomplete nominations or ones received after November 30, 2014 (5 pm central) December 7, 2014 (5 pm central) will not be accepted. You must be a Cookie Connection member to complete this ballot.
** What To Expect Once Nominations Are In **
- Between December 7, 2014 and January 1, 2015, I will carefully review your nominations for eligibility and tally the results to determine a shortlist of finalists (minimum of two per category). As needed, I may call on a small team of Cookie Connection contributors or other esteemed cookiers to help with any tie-breakers or judgment calls.
- Between January 1 and 15, 2015, the finalists will be announced, and the judging panel will also be finalized and announced. Additional information may be solicited from finalists at this time to assist the judges in determining the ultimate winners.
- If all goes as planned, judges' ballots will be tallied and winners will be announced on January 30, 2015 - along with prizes!
So, now the fun and excitement begins . . . Thanks in advance for taking the time to celebrate the accomplishments of fellow members of the cookie community! 
** AGAIN, SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE! **
NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED!
Comments (6)