Delicious Victory For A Sweet Cause

By Rena Macdonald

The Fairfield-Suisun Rotary Club announced the winners of the Second Annual Chocolate Bake-Off held at the Suisun Art, Wine and Chocolate Festival on Saturday, Oct. 6.

In the Chocolate Cake category, Lauren Baughman won both Grand Prize and first place with her “Chocolate Cloud Cake." Christina Miles placed second with her “Zinfully Dark Chocolate N Apricot Cake." 

In the Chocolate Candy category, Elaine Gatka won first place and Bonnie Semas came in second.

In Pies and Puddings, Lauren Baughman received first prize and Maria Jimenez won second prize.

In Chocolate Cookies, Maria Jimenez came in first and Lore Quillen came in second. 

In the Children 6-12 category, Lucia Holmboe took first prize. 

In a new category this year, “Rotary Club Entries”, June Johnson came in first and Bethany Courville came in second.

Darrin Hammer and Judy Dhuyvetter were the guest chef judges at this year’s competition.  Darrin Hammer, Food and Beverage Manager at Green Valley Country Club, was classically trained in New York City and has worked in major corporate restaurants from the East coast to Seattle.  Judy Dhuyvetter is the Bakery Manager at Raley’s on North Texas, and brings a wealth of experience which includes over 12 years of baking and cake decorating.

Proceeds from the Bake-Off will benefit the Rotary International Project whose goal is to end polio worldwide.