First Annual Amateur/Student Scone Competition
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Chicago, Illinois (March 21, 2011) – The best part of a holiday is often all the good things to eat, and this year’s St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago was no exception. Whole Foods Market South Loop hosted the First Annual Scone Competition where amateur bakers, culinary and pastry students gathered to showcase their finest California Raisin scone recipes. The California Raisin mascot flew in from the west coast once more to cheer on the competitors, and all enjoyed an educational demonstration by Chef Della Gossett of The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at City Colleges of Chicago.
“I was very impressed by the quality of work of the competitors, and the creativity they brought to their raisin scone recipes,” said Melinda McAllister of the California Raisin Marketing Board, a sponsor of Pastry Chicago. “No two recipes were alike, and everyone showcased the raisin element very well. Chef Della’s demonstration was fascinating, too, and her scones were delicious!”
Chef Della Gossett, who teaches in many programs and courses at The French Pastry School and was the former pastry chef at Charlie Trotter’s of ten years, presented a buttermilk raisin scone recipe along with a rhubarb and golden raisin compote while judges sampled each entry. Participating judges this year included Brady Braden, pastry chef and owner of B True Bakery; Todd Kunkleman, pastry chef at Girl and the Goat restaurant; Elizabeth Madden, pastry chef and owner of Rare Bird Preserves; Shirley Miceli, bakery team leader at Whole Foods Market South Loop; Laura Vaughn, pastry chef instructor at Washburne Culinary Institute; and Jessica Vollkommer, pastry chef at the Union League Club of Chicago.
Winners included Ian Regino who took first place with his Raisin and Citrus Scones; second place went to Carla Cubert for her Irish Whiskey Black Currant & Golden Raisin Scones; Tabitha Jackson and her Orange Glazed, Cranberry, Rum-Raisin Scones won third place; James Eggen’s Sunrise Scones earned a fourth place win; and fifth place went to Jessica Savolainen with her Raisin, Walnut, and Chocolate Scones.
Pastry Chicago will have more competitions and events coming up in 2011. The Fourth Annual Amateur/Student Cookie Competition will take place on April 16, 2011 at Whole Foods Market Lincoln Park where contestants will once more show how California Raisins can enhance a cookie recipe!
Download the press release in PDF format here.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Whole Foods Market South Loop
1101 S Canal St. Chicago, IL 60607
Rules for 2011 Pastry Chicago First Annual Amateur/Student Scone Competition:
- Entries must be submitted by March 15, 2011.
- This competition is for amateurs and students only. Professionals working in the pastry/culinary industry, or who have graduated from a culinary program, are not eligible to compete.
- Only the first 25 entries will be accepted for the competition.
- Recipes must be submitted (emailed, mailed, or faxed) at time of registration. If no recipe is submitted, your scones will not be judged.
- Contestants must submit 10 scones (5 for judging, 5 for display). All scones are submitted at the time of the competition. Scones will be displayed for you on a white plate and presented to the judges for tasting.
- No baking is done on the premises.
- All contestants must use the following ingredients, but are not limited to only these ingredients: Nielsen Massey Vanilla, Plugrá European-Style Butter, King Arthur Flour, and California Raisins (all of these items can be found at your local Whole Foods store).
- Each entry must be solely the work of the entrant.
- Scones must fit within a 4” X 4” square (see diagram).
- All scones and decorations must be edible.
- Pastry Chicago and Whole Foods South Loop are not responsible for any items left behind at the end of the event.
- Registration form and recipe must be received by Lindsay Koriath by the end of day March 15, 2011.
Judging Criteria:
60% Taste
30% Texture
10% Punctuality and Professionalism
Please contact Lindsay Koriath with any questions:
info@pastrychicago.org, 312.726.2419 ext.208.
