Albert wins Chocolate Extravaganza

Sixty feet of chocolate covered tables offered an amazing variety of delectable cakes, cookies, pies and confections at the Republican Women’s annual Chocolate Extravaganza last Wednesday.

Competition for ribbons was intense, and 35 chocolate judges debated which of the many confections would take first, second or third prize. Hopeful participants waited in anticipation to learn who would get the coveted “Best of Show” in both amateur and professional entries.

This year’s Best of Show winner was Patricia Albert, proprietor of Miss Patti Cakes of Bigfork. Recalling her interest in baking, Patricia explained that her great-grandma taught her how to bake; further, most of Patricia’s recipes came from her great-grandma and mentor.

“I always liked to bake,” Albert said. “I have a degree in microbiology and one in dental assistance, but at all of my jobs I was always the birthday cake baker. Each time I baked a cake, I would try to outdo my previous cake. One day my boss suggested that I should go into business for myself.”

With the encouragement of her many friends, and especially her husband, Adam, she decided to fulfill her lifetime dream. Albert build a state-of-the-art professional kitchen as an addition to their home, and Patricia soon was working full-time, filling orders for special occasion cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. She does not have a storefront kitchen, but is available by calling 250-9654, or by going online to misspatti cakes.com.

The following are this year’s winners:

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

Best of show: Miss Patti Cakes, Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake

Cakes and Tortes, Appearance:

First Place: Miss Patti Cakes; Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake with Bailey’s Ganache Frosting

Second Place: Delectable Catering & Desserts; Chocolate Mousse Cake with Ganacahe Frosting

Third Place: Just Desserts by Joyce Dye; Raspberry Macadamia Nut Torte

Cakes and Tortes, Taste:

First Place: Just Desserts by Joyce Dye; Raspberry Macadamia Nut Torte

Second Place: Miss Patti Cakes; Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake with Bailey’s Ganache Frosting

Third Place: John’s Angels Catering; Vickie’s Famous Devil’s Food Layer Cake

Pies and Pastries, Appearance:

First Place: Red Lion; Triple Chocolate Pie

Second Place: Hilton Blue Canyon; Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie

Third Place: Just Desserts by Joyce Dye; Chocolate Cream Pie

Pies and Pastries, Taste:

First Place: Red Lion; Triple Chocolate Pie

Second Place: Perkins; Chocolate French Silk Pie

Third Place: Perkins; Holiday French Silk Pie

Cookies and Bars, Appearance:

First Place: Rosauers; Butter Chocolate Brownies

Second Place: Just Desserts by Joyce Dye

Third Place: North Valley Hospital; Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Cookies and Bars, Taste:

First Place: Great Harvest Bread Co.; Triple Chocolate Bars

Second Place: Janelli’s Deli; Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava

Third Place: Wheat Montana; Chocolate Macaroons

Candy and Confections, Appearance:

First Place: Hilton Blue Canyon; Chocolate Mousse Squares

Second Place: Vista Linda Catering; Raspberry Fudge Balls

Third Place: Vista Linda Catering; French Chocolate Truffles

Candy and Confections, Taste:

First Place: Vista Linda Catering; French Chocolate Truffles

Second Place: Vista Linda Catering; Amaretto Truffles

Third Place: Sykes Market & Diner; Chocolate Cheesecake Truffles

AMATEUR CATEGORY

Best of show: Kari Lincoln; Charlie Brown Christmas Cake

Cakes & Tortes, Appearance:

First Place: Kari Lincoln; Charlie Brown Christmas Cake

Second Place: Darlene Andrews; Hot Chocolate Raspberry

Third Place: LaDawn Weed; Double Chocolate Delight Cake

Cakes and Tortes, Taste:

First Place: Lois Lauman; Flourless Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting

Second Place: Jill Reichner; Chocolate Cupcakes

Third Place: LaDawn Weed; Double Chocolate Delight Cake

Pies and Pastries, Appearance:

First Place: Sue Corrigan; Turtle Praline Tarts

Second Place: Anita Hoye; Chocolate Caramel Nut Pie

Third Place: Donna Danz; Velvety Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie

Pies and Pastries; Taste:

First Place: Donna Danz; Velvety Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie

Second Place: Ralene Sliter; Mother’s Chocolate Mousse Pie

Cookies and Bars, Appearance:

First Place: Lynne Kleffner; Chocolate Cherry Bars

Second Place: Anita Hoye; Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars

Third Place: Charlotte Kostelecky; Black Forest Brownies

Cookies and Bars, Taste:

First Place: Lynne Kleffner; Chocolate Cherry Bars

Second Place: Debbie Sliter; Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bars

Third Place: Janae Moore Donoghue; Chocolate Italian Cream Bars

Candy and Confections, Appearance:

First Place: Jennifer Nichols and Kaleb Mysick; German Chocolate Truffles

Second Place: Andrea Goudge and Buck Sorenson; Go Griz Bearclaws

Third Place: Dona Danz; Coconut Chocolate Covered Cherries

Candy and Confections; Taste:

First Place: Nikki Sliter; Fudge

Second Place: Donna Danz; Coconut Chocolate Covered Cherries

Third Place: Lois Lauman; Chocolate Covered Peanut Brittle