1st Annual Amateur Decorated and Baked Cheesecake Competition
Monday, May 4, 2009
Eli's Cheesecake
6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
Chicago, IL 60634
Pastry Chicago members saw a great occasion in its First Annual Amateur Cheesecake Competition held at Eli’s Cheesecake on Monday, May 4, 2009. Cheesecake enthusiasts from Illinois to Michigan competed for the recognition of the best tasting and best decorated cheesecakes, as well as prizes donated by Nielsen Massey Vanillas, this event’s sponsor.
Eli’s Cheesecake welcomed more than one hundred competitors and spectators on Monday evening at their company’s headquarters on the west side of Chicago. Also present were members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) “Windy City Chefs” Chicago Chapter. The ACF Windy City Chefs bring culinarians from all over Chicago together to create opportunities in education through food, professional development, and promoting the renowned gastronomy of Chicago. The group held a meeting to let their members and all present know about their many upcoming events.
Following the ACF meeting and while the judges examined and tasted each contestant’s cheesecakes, all of the guests observed Matt and Beth Nielsen of Nielsen Massey Vanillas give a presentation all about vanilla. Matt and Beth shared some samples of different types of vanillas from different regions of the world, such as Tahiti, Madagascar, and Mexico. The cheesecake competitors each used a Nielsen Massey Vanilla product in their cheesecake creations.
This competition especially for amateurs saw thirty competitors enter to win titles and prizes. Each competitor made two cheesecakes, one decorated for presentation, and the other for tasting. Judges who volunteered their time included Cary Miller of Food Industry News; Diana Moles, Director of Research and Development at Eli’s Cheesecake; Chef Laurel Boger, Corporate Executive Pastry Chef at Eli’s Cheesecake; and Sarah Zupancic, Marketing Manager at Eli’s Cheesecake.
The judges awarded three winners in the amateur division who included: David Murkowski (1st Place), Diane Hochmann (2nd Place), and Leila Manoochehri (3rd Place).
Rules and Regulations:
- Must present one 9”round decorated cheesecake for presentation and one 9” round sliced cheesecake for tasting. (you must provide 10 - 6” plastic plates for your cake for tasting)
- Cheesecake recipes must be submitted with the cakes
- Cheesecakes are baked and served cold. No baking is done on premises
- All contestants must use but are not limited to the following ingredients: Nielsen Massey Vanilla Products (i.e. sugar, bean, paste or extract) and a fruit of your choosing
- Each entry must be solely the work of the entrant
- All cheesecakes and decoration must be edible.
- Pastry Chicago, the ACF and Eli’s Cheesecake are not responsible for any items left behind at the end of this event
- Complete Rules and Regulations
- Registration Form
For information on becoming a participant of the competition or should you have any questions please contact Lindsay Koriath at info@pastrychicago.org, 312.726.2419 ext.208.
