Chocolate event attracts sellout crowd of 480
<p>Adele Krantz won a first place in Appearance Amateur Cakes and Tortes as well as the Best In Show for the amateurs at the Flathead County Republican Women's 30th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Wednesday, December 3, in Kalispell. On the professional side Albertson's took home the Best In Show and two blue ribbons with their Holiday Haven Cake. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Katie Flores won the third place ribbon in the Appearance Amateur Cakes and Tortes category at the Flathead County Republican Women's 30th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Wednesday, December 3, in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Linda Agather of Kalispell picks out chocolate treats at the Flathead County Republican Women’s 30th Annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Wednesday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell. The event had a sellout crowd of 480 people.</p>
<p>U.S. Rep.-Elect Ryan Zinke serves treats at the Flathead County Republican Women’s Chocolate Extravaganza on Wednesday in Kalispell.</p>
It was all about the chocolate as a sold-out crowd of 480 people gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn Wednesday for the Flathead Republican Women’s annual Chocolate Extravaganza.
“This is a record attendance,” said Toot Sward, chairwoman of the event, a beloved kickoff to the holiday season. “Every year people return, bringing friends with them.”
More than 15 tables were loaded with chocolate delights this year. Chocolate enthusiasts lined up with “to-go” boxes, anxious to fill their containers with their favorite confections.
People from throughout Flathead and Lake counties donated their finest chocolate creations, which then were judged in both amateur and professional categories. Vying for the coveted Best of Show award, amateurs and professionals alike spent hours planning and designing their chocolate entries.
The professional Best of Show winner was Jenny Kearns from Albertsons. Kearns, who has done cake decorating for about six years, created a cake in the shape of a log cabin. Using pretzel sticks for siding, coffee beans for a pebble-designed walkway and frosting for snow on the roof, the uniquely decorated cake took first in appearance and then Best of Show in the entire professional competition. It was Kearns’ first time enter the Republican Women’s competition.
Best of Show in the amateur division was Flathead County Treasurer Adele Krantz. A seasoned competitor, Krantz is not new to winning prizes for her chocolate desserts, and it is the second time she’s won the coveted Best of Show prize. Her creation this year, Peanut Butter Cup Overload Cake, was filled with butter, sugar, coffee, cream, buttermilk and about 40 tiny peanut butter chocolates.
“Every rich thing that you can imagine was put into that cake,” Krantz said with a chuckle. “But the result is one amazing cake.”
Chocolate Extravaganza 2014
Professional
Best of Show: Albertson’s Holiday Haven Cake
Cakes & Tortes Appearance
1. Albertson’s, Holiday Haven Cake
2. Miss Patti Cakes, Dark Chocolate Cake Bailey with Wh. Choc. Mousse
3. Hilton/Blue Canyon, Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Cakes & Tortes Taste
1. Albertson’s, Holiday Haven Cake
2. Amy Mow, Chocolate Mousse Pizelle
3. Super 1 Foods, Mocha Cake
Pies & Pastries Appearance
1. Perkins, Holiday Chocolate French Silk Pie
2. Perkins, Chocolate French Silk Pie
3. Perkins, Double Chocolate Fudge Silk Cake Pie
Pies & Pastries Taste
1. Southern Kravinz, Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie
2. Perkins, Chocolate French Silk Pie
3. Perkins, Holiday Chocolate French Silk Pie
Cookies & Bars Appearance
1. Kalispell Grand Hotel, Chocolate Patriotic Brownie
2. Amy Mow, Nut Goodie Bites
3. Super 1 Foods, Chocolate Mint Jelly Roll
Cookies & Bars Taste
1. Amy Mow, Nut Goodie Bites
2. Tamarack Brewing, Chocolate Caramel Brownies
3. Just Desserts, Cappuccino Naminos
Candy & Confections
Appearance
1. 5 Sparrows, White Mocha Latte Fudge
2. Taste This, Flathead Cherry Truffles
3. Sykes Bakery, Brandied Cherry Chocolate Truffles
Candy & Confections Taste
1. Taste This, Flathead Cherry Truffles
2. Bigfork Fudge Co., Chocolate Fudge
3. Hilton/Blue Canyon, Assorted Chocolate Truffles
Amateur
Best of Show: Adele Krantz, Peanut Butter Cup Overload Cake
Cakes & Tortes Appearance
1. Adele Krantz, Peanut Butter Cup Overload Cake
2. Anita Hoye, Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake
3. Katie Flores, Cake Pops
Cakes & Tortes Taste
1. Fran Ruby, Texas Sheet Cake
2. Patsy Lympus, Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte
3. Keaton Taylor, Better Than Anything Cake
Pies & Pastries Appearance
1. Donna Danz, Chocolate Pecan German Choc. Pie
2. Donna Danz, Velvety Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie
3. Anita Hoye, Chocolate Surprise Pie
Pies & Pastries Taste
1. Donna Danz, Chocolate Pecan German Choc. Pie
2. Donna Danz, Velvety Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie
3. Anita Hoye, Chocolate Surprise Pie
Cookies & Bars Appearance
1. Dee Boon, Chocolate Swirl Brownies
2. Sue Waggener, Rustic Nut Bars
3. Adele Krantz, Magic Turtle Bars
Cookies & Bars Taste
1. Adele Krantz, Magic Turtle Bars
2. Sue Waggener, Rustic Nut Bars
3. Linda Tutvedt, Triple Chocolate Brownies
Candy & Confections Appearance
1. Sue Waggener, Cookie Dough Truffles
2. Leslie Toot Sward, Choc-Dipped Pretzel Rods
3. Donna Danz, Santa’s Reindeer
Candy & Confections Taste
1. Adele Krantz, Almond Roca
2. Idella Smithers, Chocolate Covered Cherries
3. Nikki Sliter, Chocolate Fudge