Norwich, Vt. – Eight finalists will vie for more than $10,000 in cash and prizes at the second National Festival of Breads in Wichita this June.
After weeks of analyzing recipes, kneading, mixing, baking, and testing, a panel of judges selected the finalists' recipes in a taste test on April 6 in Manhattan, Kan. Eight recipes emerged as clear-cut finalists, according to Cindy Falk, nutrition educator for the Kansas Wheat Commission and chair of the National Festival of Breads.
“These eight recipes encompass an exciting array of flavor profiles, baking techniques and skill levels from amateur bakers across the country. We look forward to meeting these contestants in Kansas this summer when they participate in the National Festival of Breads," Falk said.
The finalists include:
Ethnic Breads
Mary Allen, Troy, Ohio – Tart Cherry Schiacciata
Teresa Cardin, Valley Mills, Texas – Apple Cider Cranberry Bread
Rolls
Lois Dowling, Tacoma, Washington – Triple Tangerine Twirling Treats
Robin Porter, Lilburn, Georgia – Jalapeno Cheddar Wheat Hamburger Buns
Time-Saving and Easy Breads
Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania – Fruit-of-the-Vine and Rosemary Olive Oil Snack Bread with Pine Nuts
Gale Collier, Redmond, Oregon – Quick Raisin Granola Breakfast Rolls
Whole Grain Breads
Jamie Swisher, High View, West Virginia – Sweet Wheat Bread
Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina – Charred Lime Ginger Sweet Rolls
“We are so pleased to see the baking creativity demonstrated in our finalists’ recipes,” says Tom Payne, director of marketing for King Arthur Flour. “These finalists represent some of the best home bread baking in the country, and we look forward to bringing them together to learn and to compete this summer in Wichita.”
Finalists will come to "the Heart of Wheat Country," Wichita, Kan., from June 23-25, to bake their creations at the National Festival of Breads. While in Kansas, contestants will participate in a host of additional activities, including a Wheat Harvest Tour, VIP Concert with the Diamond W Wranglers, and more.
Finalists will compete in a live baking showdown on June 25. The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500, plus a year's supply of Fleischmann's Yeast and an expenses-paid trip to the King Arthur Flour Baking Education Center in Norwich, Vermont.
In addition to the finalists, several Special Award winners were named, including:
Cranberry Award
Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island – Sweet Potato Cranberry Bacon Rolls
Raisin Award
Gale Collier, Redmond, Oregon – Quick Raisin Granola Breakfast Rolls
White Whole Wheat Award
Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina – Charred Lime Ginger Sweet Rolls
Bread Sculpture Award
Jane Fry, Elk Falls, Kansas – Sunflower and Wheat Bread Sculpture
Details about the 2011 National Festival of Breads, past recipes, and more are available on the official contest website, nationalfestivalofbreads.com.
King Arthur Flour is not only the nation’s oldest flour company, it is the single largest educator of home bakers in the world. Founded in 1790 and employee-owned since 1996, the company conducts free baking classes nationwide for both adults and children, and offers a wide variety of hands-on baking classes at its Baking Education Center in Vermont. King Arthur Flour’s fundamental mission is to be an education and product resource for, and inspiration to, bakers worldwide. More information is available at kingarthurflour.com.
Fleischmann’s Yeast was founded in 1868 and over the years has developed a complete line of yeast products including Active Dry Yeast, RapidRise Yeast, Bread Machine Yeast, Fresh Active Yeast, and Pizza Crust Yeast. Fleischmann’s Yeast offers expert resources to consumers through a number of free programs. The most popular is a website, breadworld.comthat is bursting with baking tips and more than 900 recipes serving both the beginner and experienced baker.
The Kansas Wheat Commission is a farmer-funded and governed advocacy organization working to secure the future of Kansas wheat globally and domestically through research, promotion, marketing and education. Kansas wheat farmers support the Kansas Wheat Commission with a voluntary 1.5 cent assessment on each bushel of wheat produced in Kansas. For more information, log onto kansaswheat.org.
Source: King Arthur Flour
