Results from annual Chocolate Extravaganza

The annual Republican Women’s Chocolate Extravaganza took place Dec. 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell.

Artistic creations from both professional and amateur bakers from across the region were showcased during the popular luncheon. Lynda Collins provided results.

The winner of the coveted Best of Show in the professional level was Great Northern Gourmet of Bigfork with its entry of Chocolate Cannolis Huckleberry Mousse. Chef Deva Greer and her husband Brad own the restaurant in downtown Bigfork.

Jen Kearns, a baker from Albertsons, took second place. Kearns used eight cake recipes, plenty of frosting and sparkling sugar finishes to build a chocolate, snow-packed mountain, complete with a tunnel and electric train.

Best of Show for amateurs was won by Sue Waggener for her prized Baklava Bars. Waggener also placed in three other categories.

Mary Louise Peters of Trego always competes in the extravaganza. Her grandson Jayson Peters, who is general manager of Sykes’ in Kalispell, traveled to Trego to pick up his 93-year-old grandmother’s chocolate cordials, which are especially popular in all the bazaars in Eureka and Trego.

Peters won second prize in the candy and confections division. She has resided in Trego since 1955.

PROFESSIONAL

BEST OF SHOW: Chocolate Cannolis: Huckleberry Mousse, Great Northern Gourmet

Cakes and Tortes, Appearance:

First Place: Glacier Mountain Express Cake, Albertsons

Second Place: Chocolate Cake, Delectable Desserts

Third Place: Black Forest Cake, Bigfork Harvest Foods

Cakes and Tortes, Taste

First Place: Glacier Mountain Express, Albertsons

Second Place: Christmas Moose, Bigfork Inn

Third Place: Black Forest Cake, Bigfork Harvest Foods

Pies and Pastries, Appearance

First Place: Chocolate Cannolis Huckleberry Mousse, Great Northern Gourmet

Second Place: Peanut Butter Brownie Silk Pie, Perkins

Third Place: Fudge Brownie Silk Pie, Perkins

Pies and Pastries, Taste

First Place: Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Tart, Vista Linda Catering

Second Place: Chocolate Cream Pie, Corrine Chollman at Sykes

Third Place: Fudge Brownie Silk Pie, Perkins

Cookies and Bars, Appearance

First Place: Shortbread Pig Cookies, Chef Rick Haase at Sykes

Second Place: Double Fudge Brownies, Perkins

Third Place: Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies, The Farmhouse

Cookies and Bars, Taste

First Place: Twix Bars, The Farmhouse

Second Place: Double Fudge Brownies, Perkins

Third Place: Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies, The Farmhouse

Candy and Confections, Appearance

First Place: Chocolate Bombs, Hilton/Blue Canyon

Second Place: Organic Almond Joys, Jean Zum Mallen

Third Place: Maple Nut Chocolate Truffles, Corrine Chollmanat Sykes

Candy and Confections, Taste

First Place: Organic Almond Joys, Jean Zum Mallen

Second Place: Arametto Truffles, Vista Linda Catering

Third Place: Maple Nut Chocolate Truffles, Corrine at Sykes

AMATEUR WINNERS

BEST OF SHOW: Baklava, Sue Waggener

Cakes and Tortes, Appearance

First Place: Triple Cheese Cake, Sharon Rashleigh

Second Place: Choco Rush Cupcakes, Sharon Rashleigh

Third Place: Christmas Chocolate Nutcracker, Lynn Kleffner

Cakes and Tortes, Taste

First Place: Triple C Chocolate Cheese Cake, Sharon Rashleigh

Second Place: Mini Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes, Ardis Larsen

Third Place: Celebration Cake, Wendy Myers

Pies and Pastries, Appearance

First Place: Velvety Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie, Donna Danz

Second Place: Raspberry Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie, Donna Danz

Third Place: Ernie Fudge Pie, Madeline Boyle

Pies and Pastries, Taste

First Place: Coconut Pecan German Chocolate Pie, Donna Bridwell

Second Place: Velvety Chocolate Butter Pecan Pie, Donna Danz

Third Place: Pecan Tassies, Sue Waggener

Cookies and Bars, Appearance

First Place: White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Snaps, Katie Bollweg

Second Place: Peppermint Trump Bites, Ruth Falk

Third Place: Baklava, Sue Waggener

Cookies and Bars, Taste

First Place: Baklava, Sue Waggener

Second Place: Peppermint Trump Bites, Ruth Falk

Third Place: White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Snaps, Katie Bollweg

Candy and Confections, Appearance

First Place: Christmas Crackle, Donna Danz

Second Place: Santa’s Cookie Pizza, Sue Waggener

Third Place: Peanut Butter Bon Bons, Arli Weniger

Candy and Confections, Taste

First Place: Peanut Butter Bon Bons, Arli Weniger

Second Place: Chocolate Cordials, Mary Louise Peters

Third Place: Sea Salt Chocolate Caramels, Ardis Larsen