How the contest works
Sponsor and judge: Char & Oak Spice Company. Open to residents of the 48 contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., age 18 or older. One entry per person. Entry opens when this page goes live and closes November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. No entry fee or additional purchase is required; use spices you already have.
Submit your own food photo and an accurate description of the Char & Oak flavors used. No AI-generated food images, copied photos or misleading entries. Basic cropping and lighting adjustments are welcome. Employees of Char & Oak and their immediate household members are not eligible.
Tim Donald will score eligible entries on appetizing presentation (50%), creativity (30%) and the flavor-use description (20%). Flavor is assessed from your written description; meals are not tasted. Highest score wins. Ties are decided by the higher creativity score, then presentation score. Likes, shares and follower counts do not affect judging.
The winner will be contacted at the entry email on November 21 and must respond within 48 hours to confirm eligibility and arrange delivery. If the winner does not respond or is ineligible, the next highest-scoring eligible entry will be contacted. No cash alternative. If no eligible entries are received, no prize will be awarded.
Your email is private and used to administer this contest, not to automatically subscribe you to marketing. Entries are reviewed privately and do not appear publicly upon submission. Public display is optional: only entries with the separate feature-permission checkbox selected may be featured on our website or social accounts, with the display name or handle supplied. Permission does not affect judging.
This promotion is administered by Char & Oak and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram or Facebook. By entering, participants release Instagram and Facebook from responsibility for this promotion. Questions: charandoak@gmail.com.
