I think this Bake Off got to me. I woke up twice in the middle of the night, jumped out of bed, and found myself standing in the middle of my hotel room trying to figure out where to go to finish my dish, and how I could get it to the judges.
Really Joy? You’re not in the Bake Off…. never mind the fact that the Bake Off is over. Yeesh. Ridiculous.
Enough about me… look at these four lovely ladies. One of them is about to win a cool million dollars. Can you believe it?
These four lovely winners were announced in an all out U2 style rock concert hosted by Sandra Lee… no Bono in sight.
The hugs. The excitement. The tears. Evelyn won the Entertaining Appetizers category with her Salmon Pecan Crusted Tartlets. Her daughter, who was standing next to me when her mother’s name was called, absolutely lost her mind. They’re from California… but today they’re on their way to Chicago to meet Oprah. Kinda a big deal.
Niki won the Breakfast and Brunch slot. Tomato Basil Eggs Alfredo in Bread Baskets. Niki was the first person done with her dish…. aaaaand, she won. Amazing.
Kelli won for Zesty Lime Tacos. Kelli, you might win a million dollars. Whaaaat!?
Darling Sue won the dessert category with her Mini Ice Cream Cookie Cups. She’s a single mom who said she wanted to pay her son’s college tuition if she won the million. I’d like someone to tell her she can buy a lot more than tuition with a million dollars. Seriously.
What happy cooks these ladies are. They’re on their way to Chicago and the million dollar winner will be announced Wednesday afternoon live on Oprah. Will you watch for me? I don’t exactly have a television. Yea… long story.
The stoves are all packed up. The big cameras and mic are gone. Lights off. Winners in Chicago. What a lovely time I’ve had surrounded by sweet and competitive home cooks and their families.
I’m rushing off to the airport without a million dollars. Los Angeles or bust. I need to get home to bake a cake, stat.
Beth Henderson
Hi Joy,
I’m Evelyn Henderson’s daughter that was standing next to you when they announced the category winners. Reading this was a trip down memory lane.
joythebaker
Oh hello!!
Laura Stanke
happened upon your blog today trying to figure out how to make my own pumpkin pie spice…i’m all out of the penzey’s which is my go-to spice mix. fun to see your bake-off photos–i didn’t meet you there but i won the GE prize! here’s my posts on the bake-off: https://ohmydoodle.blogspot.com/search/label/Bake-Off
and congrats evelyn! that wisking away the winners stinks because you didn’t even get to say goodbye or congrats!
Evelyn Henderson
I see you edit comments sent to your blog!
Evelyn Henderson
Hi Everyone!
I’m the Entertaining Appetizer Winner for the 44th Pillsbury Bake-Off! It was fun reading all your comments. I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you in Orlando…
I’m having a great time with all the media attention and I’ve already started creating 4 new recipes for the next contest. Salmon was a long shot, especially for consumer appeal, so I’m definitely making a dessert this next time!
Happy cooking and baking!
By the way, I bought a beautiful Broyhill island for my kitchen with some of my cash…gotta save some for taxes.
Evelyn Henderson
mary straton
is Sandra rocking a scrunchi? Please tell me no…
joythebaker
would it surprise aaaanyone if she were wearing a scrunchie? nope.
Melanie
All the dishes sound great. I am amazed at people who can create a recipe. I can’t but I can cook and bake. Go figure.
Evan
Thanks for the recap. That last pic is fantastic.
charlotte s
it was so fun to get a glimpse of the bake-off from you! would love more posts on it….
i wish you’d compete next year- i’m sure you’d win!
Carmen Henesy
How wonderful to be such a creative and wonderful cook that you can add a million dollars to your checking accoung!!!
Terresa Wellborn
What a sweet gig to do the bake off. No future plans, Joy?? :)
Jen-
Beautiful reporting…so motivating!
Cindy Grob
I have LOVED your report – if these ladies can do it, how about the rest of us getting in gear and trying for next year?????
joythebaker
i like the way you think! yes yes yes!
Edith-Nicole
I meant “their” when I wrote “there.”
Edith-Nicole
This just totally made me weepy! Thanks for posting about this quirky, exciting event. Pillsbury totally got there money’s worth by flying you out! Great job going all journalist on us, Baker.
shannon
thanks for the behind the scences look at the bake off Joy! very very cool that you were invited. I only dream that someday, if i get up the courage, do the bake off too….thanks for sharing, it’s way cool!
Shannon
Jason
I just read Kitty Kelly’s Oprah book,….and she revealed this bombshell: the Zesty Lime Tacos were having an affair with the Mini Ice Cream Cookie Cups! AWWW SNAP!
joythebaker
i knew that book was going to be full of scandal!!
Karen Pollard
How exciting to be able to watch this live. Did you get any new tips or recipes???? I guarantee I’ll be watching Oprah to see who won. You could always go to an appliance store to watch too!!
Avril @ https://bakingandcreatingwithavril.blogspot.com
Next Bake-Off can I go with you? =)
Rocky Mountain Woman
But not a real green dress, that’s cruel.
Man, I need to dig out my BNL cd’s and put them in the cd player….
Go Bake-Off ladies!
Cliff
Outstanding reportage of the Bake-Off, and congratulations to the four finalists. They’re all winners in my book. It inspired me to rummage through my cookbooks and whip out the 17th Annual Pillsbury Bake-Off Recipes. It costs only fifty cents. Back then, the grand prize was $25,000.
Lilly Higgins
Wow! A million big ones. For baking? How amazing would that be! It must have been crazy exciting in the studio. I love Oprah, her magazine is cool as milk. Can’t wait to see who wins! x
patty (mom)
Those 4 winning dishes all sound delicious. How in the world do they pick the winner? I’m off to the grocery store today to pick up some last minute ingredients for a small birthday dinner party. I’m going to be looking for the Pillsbury Bake-Off Cookbook near the checkout-I hope it’s there. Good luck to the 4 remaining. You are an inspiration to us all.
Jessie
Thanks, Joy. I just DVR’ed Oprah for the first time ever.
jaclyn@todayslady
I can’t wait to watch Oprah on Wednesday!!! So exciting!!!
Jess
What an amazing journey for all of those women. I can’t wait to find out who won!
Deanna
That is so cool. I can’t wait to see who wins! And yeah Joy you totally could have won!
Shannon V.
Yay for the winners!!! Thanks so much for taking us there! Now I want to go next year!!
Stephanie
Wow, that’s awesome. Thanks for the report, Joy!
Tay
I think I missed something. You didn’t compete in the bake off right? Or did you? You couldn’t have because if you had there is no way you would have gone home without that million dollars. You put a lot of love and passion in your food…you just can’t beat that.
LoveFeast Table
How exciting for them all!! No wonder you are still dreaming about it! Just want to say, I absolutely love that last photo!
~kristin
Tupper Cooks
If I had a Million Dollars……….
(Whatever happened to the Barenaked Ladies?)
Deborah
Tupper,
About the Barenaked Ladies Steven Page recently was caught in a room with 2 women and drugs. Did not look good for the Barenaked Ladies as they just made a kids album Snack Time awesome album. Also had a deal with Disney which Barenaked canceled. Steven Page left the band on good terms. The band is still going strong and Steven is doing his own stuff.
Nik
Same here, how scary! I could never do it, even tho I love to cook and bake! AHHHH!
Jessica @ How Sweet
I can’t imagine how excited these ladies are. I can’t wait for Oprah! I am nervous for all of them.