re: I'm competing in a cookoff this Thursday at work. What to cook?

Where are you? I'd play the weather. for instance, if it is cold, I'd make some sort of comfort food kicked up.

If not cold, try this:

Lightly poach some crabmeat in butter, stuff in a bacon wrapped butterflied shrimp and grill. Marinate the shrimp in a vinaigrette and precook your bacon.