Market’s first-ever Bake-Off is a winner

Both the weather and the competition set high standards for the Market’s first-ever Apple Dessert Bake-Off at the October 19 Farmers Market.

A total of 20 yummy-looking apple treats competed for blue-ribbon excellence at the contest, which originally attracted 23 contestants. Three display tables were packed with pies and cakes, crisps and crumbles, muffins and bread. It looked like it would be impossible to pick a winner, but our panel of Bue-Ribbon Judges was up to the task.

After more than an hour of careful deliberation, the four judges announced the winners.

Best-in-show winners

First-Place Blue Ribbon: Caramel Apple Walnut Crunch Blondie baked by Kelly Ambrosi

Second-Place Red Ribbon: Apple Pie with a Gouda Crust and a Sage Crumble Topping, baked by Mary West

Third-Place White Ribbon: Mama’s Apple Crisp, baked by Bretta Hessling

The top ribbon winners are, from left: Mary West, whose Apple Pie with Gouda Crust and Sage Crumble Topping took second place; Kelly Ambrosi, who received the first-place blue ribbon for her Caramel Apple Walnut Crunch Blondie, and Bretta Hessling, whose Mama’s Apple Crisp took third place.

Blue-ribbon winner: Caramel Apple Walnut Crunch Blondie

Special Awards

Special awards also were given. From left are Shreya Mullapudi, whose Apple Brie Galette with Pecan Cranberry Topping won for Most Creative Use of Ingredients; Mary Carey, who received the Mayor’s Choice Award for her Caramel Apple Sourdough Loaf, as selected by Farmington Mayor Joe LaRussa, who emceed the event, and Rachel Turner, whose Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes were cited for Best Use of Caramel.

Mayor’s Choice: Caramel Apple Sourdough Loaf, baked by Mary Carey

Our judges, clipboards in hand, take their job very seriously. They are, left to right, Theresa Miller, Monica Ingles, Michelle Neal and Nour Lyon.

Thank you, Judges

We are most grateful to the judges who worked hard tasting 20 samples to come up with the best. They were:

Monica Ingles, a longtime resident of Farmington-Farmington Hills, mom of four and owner of Kitchen Creations and Sorella's Cake Studio.

Michelle Neal, mother of three and owner of the Never Forgotten Bakery in Farmington as well as a vendor at the Market. She is also a foodie and baking enthusiast.  In fact, two years ago, she left her career in healthcare to buy the Sunflour Bakehaus and start a new adventure.  “My favorite creations,” she says, “are those without a traditional name or expectation. I like to be wow’d with flavor and texture.”  

Nour Lyon, a physician assistant and assistant professor by trade who helps her mom with their side baking business known as "The Cooking Teta." Over the years, Nour has learned a lot about cooking and baking from her mother as they've prepared countless Lebanese dishes for their friends and families. A self-proclaimed foodie, Nour also enjoys traveling the world in search of the best savory and sweet treats that other cultures have to offer. The Cooking Teta is also a vendor at the Farmington Farmers Market.

Theresa Miller, the volunteer co-ordinator at the Market, can also be found performing with the Warnerettes Parasol Drill Team and the Rosie the Riveter Lunchbox Drill Team, and bartending at the Farmington Elks. While she has never baked a pie, she is the Apple of her husband’s eye.

Bakers listen as judges ask questions.