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By Lynda Collins
Five hundred fifty enthusiastic chocolate lovers flocked to the Hilton Garden Inn on Wednesday, December 2, to enjoy a wonderful lunch and to revel in the myriad of chocolate delights which were available for the Flathead County Republican Women’s annual Chocolate Extravaganza.
The event, which was begun 25 years ago by Lois Himsl and some of her friends, quickly became known as “a great way to begin the Christmas season.” Since chocolate is not political, and because the Chocolate Extravaganza is so much fun, people from all political viewpoints now attend this gala.
Because this was the 25th anniversary of the popular Chocolate Extravaganza, amateur and professional bakers alike pulled out all stops in an effort to receive the coveted awards for Best of Show.
As usual, competition was intense, and the results were extremely beautiful artistic creations as well as mouth-watering desserts.
Under the direction of this year’s Chocolate Extravaganza chair, Ralene Sliter, over 200 people donated time and talents to participate as bakers, chocolate servers, ticket takers, hostesses, and numerous other tasks which were necessary to make the event such a success.
Joyce Dye, proprietor of Just Desserts, was ecstatic when she learned that her Chocolate Mint Cake had won the coveted Best of Show award. “We were pretty excited,” she said. “We have won awards before, but this is our first time to win Best of Show.
Joyce had reason to be excited. With over 30 exceptional professional entries, winning the Best of Show was an amazing accomplishment.
For the second year in a row, Josh Townsley of Lakeside Brewery won the distinction of Most Unique Dessert. Josh’s Six Pack Beer Cake was made of gingerbread and was frosted with chocolate. Josh confided that he baked the gingerbread in beer bottle molds, frosted the cooled cakes, and used metal bottle caps to complete the entry.
Following is a list of the talented Chocolate Extravaganza winners:
FLATHEAD COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN
CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA 2009 WINNERS
CATEGORY: PROFESSIONAL BAKERS
BEST OF SHOW: – Just Desserts, Chocolate Mint Cake with Ganache Filling
MOST UNIQUE DESSERT: – Tamarack Brewing Company, Chocolate Six Pack Beer Cake
Cakes and Tortes – Appearance
1st Place – Just Desserts, Chocolate Mint Cake with Ganache Filling
2nd Place – Hilton Blue Canyon, Flourless Chocolate Torte
3rd Place – Simply Sweet, Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake
Cakes and Tortes – Taste
1st Place – 1st Avenue East Café, Kahlua Vodka Cake
2nd Place – Delectable Catering, Chocolate Layer Mocha Cake
3rd Place – Harvest Foods, Chocolate Cranberry Torte
Candy and Confections – Appearance
1st Place – Copperleaf Chocolate, Orange Souffle Truffles
2nd Place – Gresko’s Fine Foods, Palate d’or Golden Squares
3rd Place – Red Lion, Chocolate Truffles
Candy and Confections – Taste
1st Place – Red Lion, Chocolate Truffles
2nd Place – Vista Linda, Amaretto Balls
3rd Place – Neal Brown’s, Mojo Chocolates Truffle Triangles
Cookies and Bars – Appearance
1st Place – Just Desserts, New York Black and White Cookies
2nd Place – Gresko’s Fine Foods, Chocolate Mint Brownies
3rd Place – Rosauers, Fudge Butter Brownies
Cookies and Bars – Taste
1st Place – Rosauers, Fudge Butter Brownies
2nd Place – Just Desserts, New York Black and White Cookies
3rd Place – Wheat Montana, Huckleberry Brownies
Pies and Pastries – Appearance
1st Place – Fazoolie’s, Cognac Infused Chocolate Paté
2nd Place – Gresko’s Fine Foods, Chocolate Tart
3rd Place – Perkins Family Restaurant, Chocolate French Silk Pie
Pies and Pastries – Taste
1st Place – Fazoolie’s, Cognac Infused Chocolate Paté
2nd Place – Bigfork Inn, Black and White Chocolate Mousse
3rd Place – Moroldo’s, Italian Chocolate Mousse
FLATHEAD COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN
CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA 2009 WINNERS
CATEGORY: AMATEUR
BEST OF SHOW: – Kerrin McCormick, Chocolate Mousse Elegance
Cakes and Tortes – Appearance
1st Place- Kerrin McCormick, Chocolate Mousse Elegance
2nd Place – Lynne Kleffner, French Chocolate Cake
3rd Place – Cheryl Wilson, Raspberry Glazed Chocolate Torte
Cakes and Tortes – Taste
1st Place – Kerrin McCormick, Chocolate Mousse Elegance
2nd Place – Cheryl Wilson, Raspberry Glazed Chocolate Torte
3rd Place * – Lynn Kleffner, French Chocolate Cake
Candy and Confections – Appearance
1st Place* – Janet Novotny, Gingerbread Surprise
2nd Place – Lois Lauman, Coconut Logs
3rd Place Jane Bennett Truffles
Candy and Confections – Taste
1st Place – Caroline Solomon, Peanut Butter Bon Bons
2nd Place – Lois Lauman, Coconut Logs
3rd Place – Rhonda Whitten, Texas Millionaires
Cookies and Bars – Appearance
1st Place * – Cheryl Wilson, Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
2nd Place* – Lois Lauman, Magic Cookies Bars
3rd Place – Judy Larson, Nanaimo Bars
Cookies and Bars – Taste
1st Place – Carol McElwain, Chocolate Covered Cheesecake
2nd Place – Carol McElwain, Chocolate Walnut Cookies
3rd Place – Lois Lauman, Turtle Brownies
Pies and Pastries – Appearance
1st Place – Ralene Sliter, Mom’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie
2nd Place – Adele Krantz, Chocolate Pecan Pie
3rd Place – Anita Hoye, Chocolate Pecan Turtle Tart
Pies and Pastries – Taste
1st Place – Anita Hoye, Caramel Truffle Pie
2nd Place – Ralene Sliter, French Silk Pie
3rd Place – Pamala Kaspersen, San Francisco Chocolate Tart
