The Other Side of the Hot Seat
There’s a first time for everything. When you participate in cooking competitions, you are used to being the one in the “hot seat” while the judges do their business. So, when I was asked to be the judge for Philadephia magazine’s first Great PhillyMag Cookoff! I was thrilled and honored to do so!
I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Callahan, Executive Editor for Philadelphia magazine, at the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest in Vegas this past November. Inspired by the Bake-Off excitement, he decided to organize a casual in-house cookoff among the editors at the magazine. They each chose and prepared one of the 100 Pillsbury Bake-Off finalists’ recipes. My job was to judge each dish on taste alone – no bribes accepted (and yes, they were offered)! This was going to be a tough job as everything looked and smelled delicious! Woo Hoo! Let the tasting begin!
![Emily Leaman, Health and Fitness Editor, made Sandy Reiter's Easy Chili with Twisted Cheesy Cornsticks . The chili was hearty, warming and really flavorful. A perfect dish for this](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0556-1.jpg)
Emily Leaman, Health and Fitness Editor, made Sandy Reiter’s Easy Chili with Twisted Cheesy Cornsticks . The chili was hearty, warming and really flavorful. A perfect dish for this “Polar Vortex” weather we’re experiencing! The cornsticks were delightful for dipping!
![Art Etchells, Editor, Foobooz.com , made Frances Pietsch's Bacon and Goat Cheese Salad on Walnut Flatbread . Yum! Love at first bite! This sandwich had great flavor balance and texture! i would like another bite right now please!](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0558-1.jpg)
Art Etchells, Editor, Foobooz.com , made Frances Pietsch’s Bacon and Goat Cheese Salad on Walnut Flatbread . Yum! Love at first bite! This sandwich had great flavor balance and texture! i would like another bite right now please!
![Rich Rys, Senior Editor, made Julie Pando's Fudgy Chocolate Hazlenut Bars . These were a moist, fudgy, chocolate lover's dream!](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0559-1.jpg)
Rich Rys, Senior Editor, made Julie Pando’s Fudgy Chocolate Hazlenut Bars . These were a moist, fudgy, chocolate lover’s dream!
![Michael Wilson, Design Director, used his eye for detail to craft Jennifer Fisher's Spicy Beef & Sweet Potato Samosas . They were cooked to golden brown perfection and had a balanced savory/sweet flavor with just a touch of spice.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0560-1.jpg)
Michael Wilson, Design Director, used his eye for detail to craft Jennifer Fisher’s Spicy Beef & Sweet Potato Samosas . They were cooked to golden brown perfection and had a balanced savory/sweet flavor with just a touch of spice.
![Sandy Hingston, Senior Editor, baked up Nancy Fahey's Almond Cafe Cookies . They were big, gorgeous cookies with the perfect amount of chew and crunch. I loved how the almond flavor was not overpowering.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0569-1.jpg)
Sandy Hingston, Senior Editor, baked up Nancy Fahey’s Almond Cafe Cookies . They were big, gorgeous cookies with the perfect amount of chew and crunch. I loved how the almond flavor was not overpowering.
![Tom McGrath, Editor, baked Marie Sheppard's Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake . Mmm... this would be perfect for a relaxing weekend morning with a steaming cup of joe! The cake was loaded with fresh blueberries which melded beautifully with the cinnamon and citrus flavors. Toasty pecans topped off the dish and added a wonderful crunchy texture.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0561-1.jpg)
Tom McGrath, Editor, baked Marie Sheppard’s Blueberry Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake . Mmm… this would be perfect for a relaxing weekend morning with a steaming cup of joe! The cake was loaded with fresh blueberries which melded beautifully with the cinnamon and citrus flavors. Toasty pecans topped off the dish and added a wonderful crunchy texture.
![Brand Editor, Ashley Primis, made Carolyn Westerback's adorable Chipotle Meatball Appetizers . Each bite of these meatball cups was packed with tons of flavor. I loved how the avocado pieces cooled the spicy bite of the chipotle sauce. These would be perfect to serve at your game day party!](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0570-1.jpg)
Brand Editor, Ashley Primis, made Carolyn Westerback’s adorable Chipotle Meatball Appetizers . Each bite of these meatball cups was packed with tons of flavor. I loved how the avocado pieces cooled the spicy bite of the chipotle sauce. These would be perfect to serve at your game day party!
![Brian Howard, News Editor, made headlines with Cathy Wiechert's gorgeous Orange Cardamom Blueberry Crostata . The beautifully pleated golden brown crust of this dessert holds a whopping 2 cups of blueberries that are sweetly spiced with orange marmalade and cardamom. I just love the rustic simplicity of this crostata.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0552-1.jpg)
Brian Howard, News Editor, made headlines with Cathy Wiechert’s gorgeous Orange Cardamom Blueberry Crostata . The beautifully pleated golden brown crust of this dessert holds a whopping 2 cups of blueberries that are sweetly spiced with orange marmalade and cardamom. I just love the rustic simplicity of this crostata. “Crostata Boasts Blueberry Bonanza!”
![Senior Art Director, Jamie Leary, crafted Denise Pounds' Chicken Lettuce Wraps & Sesame Crescent Noodles with artful detail. The color and crunch really made this dish pop! I loved biting into the buttery lettuce, tender chicken and crispy noodles.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0553-1.jpg)
Senior Art Director, Jamie Leary, crafted Denise Pounds’ Chicken Lettuce Wraps & Sesame Crescent Noodles with artful detail. The color and crunch really made this dish pop! I loved biting into the buttery lettuce, tender chicken and crispy noodles.
![Christy Lejeune, Editor at Large, baked Joan Cossette's Lemon Pistachio Blackberry Thumbprints . These large soft cookies had great texture and were bursting with flavor. I loved the hint of lemon and that drizzle of honey glaze.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0554-1.jpg)
Christy Lejeune, Editor at Large, baked Joan Cossette’s Lemon Pistachio Blackberry Thumbprints . These large soft cookies had great texture and were bursting with flavor. I loved the hint of lemon and that drizzle of honey glaze.
![Research Editor, Malcolm Burnley, discovered a great recipe in Mindy Beaumont's Honey Roasted Corn and Crab Puffs . One bite of the sweet corn and crab in these little nuggets transported me right to my summertime happy place. I could practically feel the sand on my feet!](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0562-1.jpg)
Research Editor, Malcolm Burnley, discovered a great recipe in Mindy Beaumont’s Honey Roasted Corn and Crab Puffs . One bite of the sweet corn and crab in these little nuggets transported me right to my summertime happy place. I could practically feel the sand on my feet!
![Claudia Gavin, Assistant Photo Editor, made Donna Beck's Ham and Creamy Sriracha Pizza . For a sriracha lover like me, the spread on this pizza was a hit. It had that addictive spicy quality that made you want to come back for more!](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0563-1.jpg)
Claudia Gavin, Assistant Photo Editor, made Donna Beck’s Ham and Creamy Sriracha Pizza . For a sriracha lover like me, the spread on this pizza was a hit. It had that addictive spicy quality that made you want to come back for more!
![Wedding Editor, Carrie Denny, united 3 gooey ingredients in heavenly matrimony to make Wendy Wiseman's Peanut Butter Caramel Sticky Rolls . These spirals of warm baked goodness will make you laugh, cry and will definitely leave you with sticky fingers.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0564-1.jpg)
Wedding Editor, Carrie Denny, united 3 gooey ingredients in heavenly matrimony to make Wendy Wiseman’s Peanut Butter Caramel Sticky Rolls . These spirals of warm baked goodness will make you laugh, cry and will definitely leave you with sticky fingers.
![Jack Cotter, Digital Projects Editor, presented Sonya Goergen's Mini Italian Shepherd's Pies . These savory morsels practically pack a full balanced meal into 2 bytes! I loved the spinach in the mashed potato topping.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0565-1.jpg)
Jack Cotter, Digital Projects Editor, presented Sonya Goergen’s Mini Italian Shepherd’s Pies . These savory morsels practically pack a full balanced meal into 2 bytes! I loved the spinach in the mashed potato topping.
![Executive Editor, Michael Callahan, whipped up Craig Partin's Malted Milk Ball Peanut Butter Cream Squares . I loved the whimsical quality of this dessert with its chocolate squiggles and sprinkling of fun candies from my childhood. The crunchy peanut butter cookie base was a perfect contrast to creamy dreamy topping.](https://www.epicuricloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/IMG_0555-1.jpg)
Executive Editor, Michael Callahan, whipped up Craig Partin’s Malted Milk Ball Peanut Butter Cream Squares . I loved the whimsical quality of this dessert with its chocolate squiggles and sprinkling of fun candies from my childhood. The crunchy peanut butter cookie base was a perfect contrast to creamy dreamy topping.
The Big Decision!
After the tasting was complete, I was sequestered to ponder my decision. Whew! Judging proved to be challenging as everyone did a really great job. In the end, I chose 4 dishes that were not too sweet, not too salty and left me wanting more!
Congratulations to:
4th Place: Rich Rys, Fudgy Chocolate Hazlenut Bars
3rd Place: Sandy Hingston, Almond Cafe Cookies
2nd Place: Michael Wilson, Spicy Beef & Sweet Potato Samosas
1st Place: Art Etchells, Bacon and Goat Cheese Salad on Walnut Flatbread
The first place winner, Art Etchells, won a $100. gift card to Tashan Restaurant.
Thanks Philadelphia magazine! I had a great time!
This is fantastic. Thanks, Jack, for recreating my recipe. They look fabulous! So sorry you didn’t win. 🙂
They were yummy Sonya! Jack did a great job!
We had so much fun, Tina! Thank you SO MUCH for slogging through the cold and snow to be our judge. Next year!
I had a blast too Sandy! Glad you made it though the traffic & parking garage monsters!
So much fun–thanks for sharing Tina!!
Was fun Brett! We need a Philly food adventure soon!
Thank you, Tina! Glad you liked my chili 🙂
I could go for some right now Emily – my feet are frozen!
How fun!! I do not know how you ate that all yourself–I know small bites.
It wasn’t easy, but someone had to do it ( :
How fun! Thanks Brian Howard for choosing my crostata! I can see how difficult it was for the PBO judges…everything looks so good (I can attest to the fabulousness of those samosas, as I got to try them).
Thanks for the great recipe! I’ll definitely make it again.
It was delicious Cathy! Brian did a great job!
So Cool! Honored to have my recipe chosen for the competition.
I loved Michael’s swirls on the top! Cool, creamy & dreamy recipe!
I’ve made the blueberry crostini before and it was a huge hit. Great way to use up all of the blueberries from my summertime farm share.
You’re right it is a great way – can’t believe how many you can cram in there!! LOL!
Thanks for doing this, Tina. And thanks for the kind words about the crostata!
Was a really fun way to spend my lunchtime!! Yum!
What a fun idea! So glad my little puffs got to be apart of it 🙂 I miss Philly!
Your little puffs were awesome!! Malcolm did a great job with them ( :