Last Monday, the 47th Pillsbury Bake-Off® took place in Nashville, Tennessee.
I was very fortunate to attend as media. The Pillsbury Bake-Off® is something I’ve always followed closely. I like trying out the winning recipes and of course, finding out who won the grand prize. I’ve even considered entering before. With a $1 million grand prize, it’s the biggest prize money for an amateur baking competition.
So you can imagine my excitement at getting to see everything first-hand. From the thousands of initial entries, the Pillsbury test kitchen narrowed it down to 100 recipes. These 100 finalists got to cook their recipes live. The judges then chose four winners, one from each category: Amazingly Doable Dinners, Weekend Breakfast Wows, Savory Snacks & Sides, Simply Sweet Treats. The voting is then given over to the public to determine which of the four will win the $1 million prize.
Here’s a quick shot of the contest floor before the event started. Can you imagine 100 ovens working simultaneously? Imagine all the electricity…
The contest started with the “grand march” where contestants paraded and danced around, with live country music, a life-sized Pillsbury dough boy, and host Chef Carla Hall (Top Chef, The Chew). After making their way around the room, the contest started.
(Photo below courtesy of Pillsbury)
The contestants had a little more than 3 hours cook their food. They could cook up to three batches, with their favorite one going to the judges. The rest were samples for the media and others allowed on the contest floor. As media, we were allowed to walk around the entire competition, talking to contestants, sampling, taking pictures.
It’s hard to put to words what the atmosphere was like in there. There was so much energy, excitement, and support. Family and friends were in the room cheering. The room would break out in applause for each contestant who finished. Here’s my attempt to capture the first finisher as she carried her food to the table to be taken to the judges.
The contestants were much calmer than I would have imagined. I’m pretty sure I would be a nervous wreck if I was competing for $1 million. But they seemed pretty laid-back and calm and were very open to us coming over and taking photos and talking to them. I tried not to distract them too much. As much as I was curious to hear their stories— and there were many great stories– I didn’t want to do anything that could possibly mess them up.
Lynn Albright (Norwalk, CT), Vegetarian Samosas with Cilantro Chutney
She was one of the first contestants I spoke to. She was so sweet and friendly.
Here is Betty Staufenbiel. She won the contest back in 1961 and here she is still competing. It was such an inspiration watching her!
There were two San Diego finalists, so I had to make sure I stopped at their stations to wish them good luck.
Rozanne Gooding (Carlsbad, CA); Curry Chicken Crescent Wontons
Shana Butler (San Diego, CA); Chicken Florentine “Gnocchi”
Even though all the contestants had samples, I don’t think it would have been physically possible to sample all 100 entries. I did get to sample Shana’s, and it was actually one of my favorites from the ones I did sample. Not only was it tasty, but I thought it was such a creative idea. She made “gnocchi” with Pillsbury’s French bread loaf dough. Of course it’s not real gnocchi but it tasted remarkably similar.
Beth Royals (Richmond, VA); Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters
One of the final samples I tasted was this one. I initially wasn’t planning on trying it because I’m not a huge peanut butter dessert person but a lot of the bloggers were talking about how good it was so, so I went over and grabbed a sample. I really enjoyed it! It’s filled with pie crust pieces, peanuts and toffee, and held together with white chocolate and peanut butter.
Chef Carla Hall has been one of my favorites from Top Chef, and I thought she was just the perfect host. She had so much energy and spent the competition running around and interviewing contestants. She was so friendly, hugging each of the contestants and being like a great mom to all.
Overall, I was amazed at the creativity and tasty dishes I had while wandering the contest floor. I really did not want to be in the judge’s shoes and have to choose a winner.
Later that evening, we got to attend the awards where the four winners were announced along with some other prizes that were also awarded. Each winner got a golden Pillsbury dough statute. Gosh the statute looked adorable. I really wanted one, even more than the money prize.
(Photo courtesy of Pillsbury)
Even though I was not in the competition nor did I have any friend or family member, I found myself really invested in the results. I was silently rooting for my favorites and was definitely emotional when I would see the reactions of the winners.
So in case you don’t yet know, here are the final four:
(Photo Courtesy of Pillsbury)
This year, the public helps decide the winner. From now until December 2, you can vote for your favorite recipe. All the recipes can be found on the Pillsbury website so you can even try them all out before deciding. On December 3, the winner will be announced on The Chew.
I got a chance to try the final four the next morning before we left Nashville. I haven’t yet decided who I’m going to vote for. I think I need to make them all before deciding. I might have to have a little Pillsbury party…
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!
Hey that’s me! Great to meet you…it was a blast…I was one of only 22 new people there for the 1st time….I heard there were over 65,000 entries so if you are chosen into the top 100, that’s a pretty big deal. It’s definitely worth doing again.
Wow, that’s a lot of entries! I’m glad I got to meet you. I wish I had a chance to try your food! I think the samples were all gone when I went by again because I know I didn’t get to try yours. Hope you have success again!
Those trophies are cute! And doughboy is kinda cute in his own way. It must be hard to judge so many entries! I mean, even the ‘taste of’ events you get full pretty fast! But anyway, I could totally see you competing in this. You should try it one year!
Yeah the judges have a hard job! Though I believe the judging panel is divided for each category, so instead of tasting 100, each panel only needs to taste the ones for their category, which narrows it down a little. but still! Maybe I’ll try next year!
I was there at station #38! “Open-
Face Italian Turkey Sandwiches” I had a blast and met so many friendly finalists. I just wish I would have walked around a bit more after I turned my recipe in; I was so nervous about leaving my station, afraid to beak any rules. Carla Hall was a wonderful hostess, so full of personality. I really enjoy meeting Glori Sprigss, last year’s winner. Hope I get to go back to the 48th Pillsbury Bake-Off!
Hi Linda! I remember your station! It’s so great hearing your perspective and I also hope you get to go back next year.
I adore that little Pillsbury trophy – it is so cute! The peanutty pie crust clusters sound like the best one to me, but I love peanut butter stuff. I’d be so nervous too to be competing! I bet many of them are seasoned bakeoff contestants.
yes! many of them compete every year, so I guess it’s no longer nerve wracking. I’m so curious who will win!
How awesome that you got to be there! I remember reading about the two local ladies who were contestants (their recipes sound appetizing; I would give those a try!). Love that trophy too – so cute! He’s holding a guitar!!!!
Yes, it was such a fun experience! I do feel very lucky to have been invited. I really want to have a party and make a bunch of the finalist recipes and see what people think is their favorite.
This looks like so much fun! And I love love love Carla Hall 😀
She was sooo friendly and energetic. I was standing right next to her a few times, totally freaking out inside!
This event was such a blast!! It was so nice to meet you and chat with you!!
it was so great meeting you as well =)