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Five suburban bakers to compete in Schaumburg this weekend

Last week started out savory and ended on a sweet note. Monday saw the live cook-off to determine the Daily Herald's Cook of the Year and ended with the Daily Herald Baking Challenge Thursday.

On Nov. 5, Novak & Parker in Mount Prospect hosted the third annual Daily Herald Baking Challenge. We received almost 100 entry recipes in five categories: Oatmeal Cookies, Coffee Cake, Sandwich Cookies, Blueberry Muffins and Carrot Cake. The Best In Show, the cookies created by Sarah Cardenas of Palatine, will join the other four semifinalists at the America's Baking and Sweets Show next weekend. The event runs Friday to Sunday, Nov. 13 through 15, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg.

The five bakers in each category with their recipes are:

• Oatmeal cookies — Barbara Lane of Lake Zurich: Crispy Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

• Coffee cake — Sue Ryl of Arlington Heights: Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake

• Sandwich cookies — Sarah Cardenas of Palatine: Mocha Shortbread Sandwiches With Caramel Filling (See recipe on Page 6)

• Blueberry muffins — Lisa Bezella of Schaumburg: Blueberry Lemon Muffins

• Carrot cake — Jenny Martin of Fox Lake: Caramel Infused Carrot Cake With Brown Butter Cream

These bakers' confections will be judged at approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Good luck to all.

As for the 2015 Cook of the Week Challenge, get a recap, recipes from the four finalists and learn more about the cooks in a special section Nov. 18.

For fans of Marcel's: You'll be happy to know Marcel's Culinary Experience, 490 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, has expanded to include Marché, a sister cheese shop and kitchen on the corner, one door north at 496 N. Main St. Jill Foucré, owner of Marcel's, said Marché will sell cheese, charcuterie and other specialty foods, as well as wine, craft beer and small-batch liquor. There is room for a few small tables in a window to sample your purchases and people watch. Marché's calendar of classes is up and running. For more about Marché and a list of classes, visit marche496.com or call (630) 790-8890.

Casting calls: “MasterChef Junior” on Fox will be casting in Chicago next month for an upcoming season. Children ages 8 to 13 compete for a scholarship and MasterChef Junior title. This is for kids who like to cook, have an interest in cooking or just love being in the kitchen. It's really for all skill levels. Visit masterchefjunior.com.

For grown-ups, Guy Fieri is coming to town looking for people to appear on Food Network's “Guy's Grocery Games.” As host of the show, Guy sends four chefs running through the aisles with a chance to win up to $20,000. You'll find an application at beonguysgrocerygames.com.

Turkey bowl: Pinstripes Bistro locations including South Barrington and Oak Brook will offer bowling for turkeys through Nov. 22. Anyone who bowls a “turkey” (three strikes in a row) will be presented with a free frozen turkey, and one will be donated to either the Northern Illinois Food Bank or Greater Chicago Food Depository on the bowler's behalf. Nonperishable goods will also be collected on-site, and donors will receive a free seasonal Nutty Cider.

Holiday entertaining know-how: Aurora resident Phyllis Kramer will highlight holiday entertaining in a Cocktail Party session at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Prisco's Family Market, 1108 Prairie St., Aurora.

Kramer will explore easy ways to create holiday menus. Wine and cheese pairings planned. Class is $45. To register or for more information, call (630) 264-9400.

Contact Food Editor Susan Stark at sstark@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4586. Be her friend on Facebook.com/Susan Stark Dailyherald.

Mocha Shortbread Sandwiches with Caramel Filling

  Daily Herald event marketing manager Karyn Kraske shows off a tray of the winning Mocha Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Caramel Filling made by Sarah Cardenas of Palatine. Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
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