After all the dishes were served, judges selected Hope Wilms-Sheldon’s Southern Blueberry Special as their favorite dish in the Sixth Annual Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival Recipe Contest.
Judges also chose Cheryl Zelenak’s Blueberry Pie for second place, and the Thoeni family’s Caramelized Salmon with Blueberry Wine Sauce Over Tarragon-Scented Wild Rice for third place.
Wilms-Sheldon won a weekend stay at an Anna Maria Island Resorts destination; Zelenak received a case of Keel and Curley Winery wine and an exclusive tour; and the Thoeni family received a prize pack from Costco Wholesale.
Judges included Plant City Mayor Mike Sparkman, Keel and Curley Winery owner Joe Keel, 2013 Blueberry Festival Queen Jordan Williams, Barbara Franques and new PakMail owner Giresh Sharma.
The five judges had a difficult task choosing between the five finalists, who included:
Megan Criscillo: Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Rhonda Stephens: Blueberry Dessert Salad
The Thoeni Family: Caramelized Salmon with Blueberry Wine Sauce Over Tarragon-Scented Wild Rice
Hope Wilms-Sheldon: Southern Blueberry Special
Cheryl Zelenak: Blueberry Pie
