From the food editor: Baking deadline approaching; Sur La Table plans Achatz, Mantuanos demos
As our Cook of the Week Challenge starts to wind down — the final recipe matchups appear Wednesday, Oct. 15, and we reveal the four finalists next week — our Home Baking Challenge is ramping up.
That challenge is now in its second year and held in cooperation with America's Baking and Sweet Show. We're looking for local bakers to represent the suburbs at the national show when it comes to Schaumburg next month.
Between now and Oct. 20, head to dailyherald.com/contest/baking-challenge and enter your best original recipe in the following categories: biscotti, biscuits (sweet and savory), blueberry muffins, butterscotch brownies, carrot cake, coffee cake, lemon squares, oatmeal raisin cookies, pumpkin pie and sandwich cookies. Each recipe must include at least 1 cup of any type of King Arthur Flour. Bakers must be at least 18 years old; entries in multiple categories are accepted.
Baking experts will review the recipes and invite the bakers of the top two recipes in each of the categories to present their treats to a panel of judges (including Baking Secrets columnist Annie Overboe) Nov. 6 during our Home Baking Event at Novak and Parker in Mount Prospect. Recipes will be evaluated on taste, creativity, appearance and texture.
The winners will receive a prize package that includes goodies from Gail's Brownies and Nothing Bundt Cakes. The top recipe in each category then will compete against bakers from across the country for $750 in prizes — including spa services, bakeware and cooking gadgets — at America's Baking and Sweet Show Nov. 14-16 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. Show staff will prepare the finalists' recipes and the bakers need not be present to win.
Organizers still are firming up the schedule for this year's show, but the gals from TLC's “DC Cupcakes” and dessert diva Gale Gand have been lined up for demonstrations. The show also includes plenty of vendors and hands-on classes. Adult daily admission costs $13; $30 for a three-day pass. Details at americasbakingandsweetsshow.com.
Tasting greatness: Sur La Table kitchen retailer is joining forces with the James Beard Foundation's Taste of America to offer a rare opportunity to interact with some of Chicago's most lauded chefs.
At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, chef Grant Achatz of Alinea and Next in Chicago will be at the Chicago Sur La Table, 900 N. Michigan Ave. At 1 p.m. that day, Cathy and Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia in Chicago take over. In addition to cooking demonstrations, there will be time for book signings.
• Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at dpankey@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4524. Be her friend at Facebook.com/DebPankey.DailyHerald or follow her on Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter @PankeysPlate.