The 14th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Bake-Off at Marvin Memorial Library in Shelby was a chocolaty event Monday evening, full of a wide variety of enticing desserts.
Contestants were judged on the appearance and taste of their baked goods and the categories included cakes, cookies and bars, and desserts. The contestants had the option to enter in two of the three categories. Event organizer Shelly Krystofik shared that there were 18 participants this year. “We have had as many 60 entries in past years,” said Krystofik.
Krystofik said that she and Jeanette Brown worked together in order to organize the event. “We have been doing this since the very beginning and it is always a fun event. A lot of hard work goes into it,” said Krystofik.
Husband and wife Cheryl and Greg Woodall decided to participate and compete against one another in the bake-off for the very first time this year. Greg made a chocolate roll and Cheryl made chocolate bundt cake. “The chocolate roll is my mother’s recipe and that recipe is probably 45-50 years old. She taught me how to make it and there is no flour in it,” said Greg Woodall.
Cheryl explained that her chocolate bundt cake didn’t contain any sugar or grains. “I had tried the recipe and it takes about two hours to make. It also contains a coffee glaze,” she said.
Donna Buckham designed a colorful pink cake and “gobbs” in her second year competing at the bake-off. “Last year I made a chocolate peanut butter cake for the bake-off. I just love baking because it is so relaxing,” said Buckham.
Donna Trout decided to compete in her third bake-off by making no-bake golf ball cookies and a truffle torte. “I just love baking and last year I made fudge for the bake-off,” said Trout.
Winners were awarded a cupcake piggy bank and gift certificates to Planktown Country Market. Trout was a big winner for the evening with both of her baked goods taking home the top prize in the cookies and dessert categories.
Nancy Lewis took home the top prize in the cake category for her buckeye cake. Lewis also received second place for her salted caramel brownies. Patrick Bovia followed behind Trout in the dessert category, taking home second place for his Velveeta fudge. Terry Wilson placed second in the cake category for a German chocolate cake.
