The Stories Behind the Recipes
Launched earlier this year, the “Tastes of Home” recipe contest will culminate in a live competition held in conjunction with an open house enrollment event Saturday, April 6, at the Culinary Institute of the South, in Bluffton.
Winners will be judged by representatives from the King Arthur Baking Company as well as bakers and culinary professionals from area businesses and awarded at the end of the day’s events, but you too can get in on the fun!
A “People’s Choice Award” will be given to one contestant based on your favorite entry or story. So take a look at the following anonymous “Stories Behind the Recipes” and be thinking of which one appeals to you the most.
Voting will open on Facebook at noon on Friday, April 5, and will also take place in person at Saturday’s event. And as they say on Iron Chef, if a contestant wins the People’s Choice he or she will gain the people’s ovation and fame forever!
The Entries
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Entry 1 – Shiitake Gruyere Pithivier
Description
Flaky, buttery pie crusts contrast with a filling of tender, roasted mushrooms; sweet carrots; hickory-smoked gruyere; a luxuriously rich potato gratin and a vibrant and delectable pinot noir pan sauce.
The Story
This pithivier reminds me of Thanksgiving when my grandmother would make meat pies for the family. There is nothing more comforting to me than being on the couch under a blanket watching football, surrounded by family, a bowl of pie in one hand and a cold beer in the other.
I chose to elevate the dish by using a piecrust on the bottom to add stability and texture and, instead of a mincemeat filling, I went with a medley of toasted mushrooms, roasted carrots, hickory-smoked gruyere, a rich potato gratin and a decadent wine pan sauce. This dish is as much an homage to home as it is a tribute to my journey as a food and beverage professional.
Entry 2 – Orange Cranberry Upside Down Cake
Description
This Orange Cranberry Upside Down Cake is definitely not your grandma’s upside-down cake! It takes creativity to a whole new level with a wonderfully fragrant, nutty and unexpected taste of joy in every bite.
The Story
This cake is reminiscent of my family heritage using flavors from both Lebanese and Italian cooking. When it comes to the flavors my family uses in its cuisine, citrus is a huge component both in our savory and sweet dishes.
One of my parent’s favorite desserts is a Lebanese dish called Harista Loze. This dish has a nutty consistency infused with a citrus syrup made of either lemon or orange. This cake is a great play on those flavors and textures and is beautiful on anyone’s table. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family enjoys it.
Entry 3 – Deep Fried Rose Dumplings
Description
These deep-fried dumplings are crispy on the outside, with a moist mixture on the inside.
The Story
When I first started cooking food for my family, I was interested in Asian cuisine, so the first dish I made was dumplings. As I made them continuously, I began to make them with my own preferences in mind, deep frying them and adding beef.
Entry 4 – Oscar’s Rum Cake
Description
A deliciously dense vanilla cake with strong notes of dark rum in a deeply rich, buttery rum glaze.
The Story
This recipe, created by my papaw, inspired my love of desserts. He worked on this recipe until it was perfected. Every time I go home, he bakes this bundt cake with so much love that it takes me right back to when I first requested it for my birthday when I was 10.
I didn’t know anything about this cake other than the memory of sitting with my papaw late at night sharing a slice with him and smelling the fresh decaf coffee he would have with it. This is the reason why I chose a career in baking and pastry arts. I want people to have the same love and joy that I shared with my papaw and the memories it has brought me – a simple cake that holds so much love.
Entry 5 – Cocktail Cookie
Description
When crafted as a margarita-inspired treat, this cocktail cookie with a shortbread base bursts with zesty citrus notes, reminiscent of a sun-soaked afternoon. The bright undertones of lime dance on the palate, offering a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. For those moments when a touch of cranberry is desired, the addition of optional craisins transforms the cookie into a Cape Cod delight.
The Story
My cocktail cookie recipe is a flavorful bridge between my roots and the vibrant tapestry of my community. The zesty margarita-inspired essence captures the spirited gatherings of my family, where laughter and shared moments are as essential as the ingredients themselves.
In each bite, I taste the memories of home – the tang of citrus reminiscent of sunny afternoons in our backyard, the sweet undertones reflecting the warmth of family bonds. Adding craisins is a subtle link to my community’s coastal influence. As I bake these cookies, I’m transported to the heart of my home kitchen, surrounded by the comforting aroma of shared stories and culinary creativity. The recipe is a testament to the diverse flavors that make up my family and community, a fusion of tradition and innovation.
Entry 6 – Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
Description
A soft, buttery vanilla cookie topped with a smooth, creamy Italian meringue and sweet, diced strawberries.
The Story
When I was growing up, strawberry shortcake was included at all our family functions. The flavor always reminds me of being in the kitchen with my family, which is where I feel the most at home.
Entry 7 – Orange Walnut Bundt Cake
Description
This cake features a bright orange and buttery walnut flavor.
The Story
Oranges are typical Christmas presents in an Italian home, especially for children and are still considered a treat! As a child in the early 1920s, my great grandmother Marie would receive an orange as a treat. I spent the first year of my life with her as four generations of our family lived together. Since then, my grandmother and mother have passed down her recipes to me including her eggplant parmesan and this orange walnut cake.
