The auspicious day began with a class on the pastimes of Lord Nityananda followed Abhisheka (bathing) of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Pushpanjali (flower offering) and prasadam.
 

Auspicious Abishek (bathing) or Sri Sri Gaura Nitai

In Vancouver the main highlight for most devotees is Lord Nityananda's Transcendental Cooking Contest which took place in the evening. Without a doubt this is the best feast of the year as many devotees enthusiastically cook their best preparations for the pleasure of Lord Nityananda.

First introduced in Vancouver in the early 70's, Lord Nityananda's Transcendental Cooking Contest has become a regular part of the Lord's appearance day observance.

The candidates prepare and enter their favorite preparation into any one of 11 categories. Each of the categories has a winner and an overall first, second and third place winner.

"The objective of course is to please Lord Nityananda by cooking their best preparation for His satisfaction."

This year more than sixty preparations were offered for the pleasure of the Lord.

Lord Nityananda's Awards

Their Lordships in Their new clothes for
Lord Nityananda's Appearance Day

This year's overall winner Ajit Sarkar.
His daughter, Sheila-Rani won the youth category

This Year's Overall Winners

Gold Medal Winner - Ajit Sarkar

Category - Sweet:    

Silver Medal Winner - Jhlunyatra Devi Dasi 

Category - Non-Vedic:

Bronze Medal Winner - Hemant Garg

Category - Nectar: 

Winners of each Category

Best Baked / Bread: - Jagat-Patti Das

Best Condiments: - Jhulnyatra Devi Dasi

Best Dahl: - Mansi Garg

Best Large Prep: - Jaya Govinda Dasa

Best Nectar: - Hemant Garg

Best Non-Vedic: - Jhulnyatra Devi Dasi

Best Rice: - Jhulnyatra Devi Dasi

Best Savory: - Jhulnyatra Devi Dasi

Best Subji: - Caitanya Hari Dasa

Best Sweet: - Ajit Sarkar

Best Prep by a Youth: - (under 19yrs) - Sheila Rani Sarkar

Last Year's Overall Winners

Gold Medal Winner - Cathy Sarkar

Category - Non-Vedic:   

Silver Medal Winner - Chaitanya Priya Hardas 

Category - Sweets:  

Bronze Medal Winner - Shanti Devi Dasi 

Category - Savory:   

Winners of each Category

Best Baked / Bread: - Jagat-Patti Das

Best Condiments: - Hemant & Mansi Garga

Best Dahl: - Madur Bali

Best Large Prep: - Jaya Govinda Das

Best Nectar: - Karuna Mayi Devi Dasi

Best Non-Vedic: - Cathy Sarkar

Best Rice: - Shanti Devi Dasi

Best Savory: - Chandra Lalita Devi Dasi

Best Subji: - Gandhari Devi Dasi

Best Sweet: - Chaitanya Priya Hardas

Best Prep by a Youth: - (under 19yrs) - Damodar Kansal