It’s the Great Pumpkin Recipe Contest, Fair Guests

October 1, 2011

The 2011 L.A. County Fair presented prizes to finalists in It’s the Great Pumpkin Recipe Contest Saturday, Oct. 1.  Awards were handed out in the Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Bread and Pumpkin Other divisions.
Selma Courll of Lakewood won first place in the Pumpkin Pie division for her three-layer pie that had a layer of pecans, cream cheese and pumpkin pie. She was awarded $25 and a rosette for her win. She faced stiff competition from Bobbi Jo Chi of Rancho Cucamonga and April Burton of Rowland Heights. Bobbi Jo mad a very inventive ancho chile pumpkin pie and April made a pumpkin pie that the judges described as “tasty.”
Selma also took third place in the Pumpkin Bread division. She made a pumpkin muffin with chocolate chips and cream cheese. First place in Pumpkin Bread was Jeanelle Coffey, resident of Sherman Oaks. Jeanelle made a dark brown sugar pumpkin bread that had the “perfect blend” of holiday spices, according to the judges. She was awarded $25 and a rosette for her win. Coffey apparently has the magic touch in the kitchen and has already won at the Fair this year for her key lime and chipotle pepper custard pie. This is her first time entering into the Fair’s culinary competitions and she said she did so “on a whim.” Taking second was seasoned Fair competitor Gayle Bauer of La Verne. Her recipe used a cream cheese frosting that the judges described as “delicious.” Gayle has previously won for making English toffee, fudge, salsa and pies.
Taking home first place in the Pumpkin Other division is La Verne resident Steve Joines who made pumpkin lasagna. Pumpkin seems to be a winning ingredient for Joines, who also won in the enchilada competition for his pumpkin enchiladas. He was awarded $25 and a rosette for his win. Arlene Taylor made a pumpkin cheesecake and place second in the division. Monine Zerbe’s pumpkin bars scored third place.
Congrats to our winners and finalists! We hope that we see you all back next year. We can’t wait to try your delicious creations.

2 Comments

  1. Do you have the photos and/or story posted for the Best European Pastry, Best Hummus and Winners of the Big baking Contest? Also, the Best Brownie? I was a winner in each of these contests and had my photo taken by your fair photographer, but haven’t seen anything posted on your blog. Please advise. Many thanks!
    -The Blue Ribbon Baker!

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