A baking story told in 8 parts. Part VII

Look, I knew there wasn’t a chance I could win. I just didn’t want to embarrass myself or the lovely Ivy (below) who had so graciously invited me.

The contestants arrived.

Andrea Toole arrived first. Then Joel Solish and Kristina Groeger. David Ort was supposed to compete, but his cookbook never arrived, so he came out to support us anyway.

Ivy told us to take our stuff back to the kitchen to warm it up to set out for the guests and judges.

I love being in restaurant kitchens, so I felt calm being in there.

Until I saw what everyone made.

Andrea (in plaid hat) made Gingerbread Biscuits (page 333-335) with a soft chewy centre and crisp exterior. Incredible tasting. How did she do that?  Joel (in plaid jacket -was I suppposed to wear plaid?) made Chocolate Sour Cheery Biscuits (page 312) and added bacon fat!

You can change the recipe? Oh no, I followed mine to a T. I would have infused my strawberries with tequila. I would have added cocoa. Everyone knows the chocolate thing is going to win. And mixed with bacon? Sheer freakin’ genius. He’s definitely going to win.

Then Kristina came in (below, on left with camera).  She made Pork, Apple and Braised Red Cabbage Pie (p. 212). 50 of ‘em. Holy bleeeeeeeeep.

Oh Stephanie, do you know Kristina? She’s a chef at Enoteca Sociale.

Oh. My. God.

Had I know all of this, I wouldn’t have entered. I mean, the sheer talent in the room was astounding.  And then there were the judges – Amy Rosen, colum­nist for the National Post and edi­tor at House & Home Magazine, along with the own­ers of Madeleines, Cherry Pie & Ice Cream and Sweet Escapes.

We trotted our stuff out to the front of the room, where the guests came by and took samples and asked us questions (people are soo nice). Then the judging started.

I was relieved by this point because:

1. I had made it this far without fainting.

2. No one threw up having one of my cakes.

3. The pressure was off. The three competitors were going to win and now I could just sit back and relax.