CONGRATULATIONS
winners of the 2023 Holiday Cookie Contest!
Thank you to the 28 entries in our first holiday cookie competition!! The judges were impressed with "Toledo bakers" and more than 140 attended the Lunch & Learn event. The judges/speakers were great fun and we're looking forward to repeating this event next year with even more ideas on holiday baking!
Adult winners
1st Audrey Madyun Kwanzaa Cookie
2nd Kristen Sluhan Penny Ginger Cut Outs
3rd Susan Perkins Maple Cookie
Student winners
1st Lucy Printke Chocolate Mint Drops
2nd Sophia Patznick Apple Butter Snickerdoodle
3rd Austin Skiver Molasses Cookie
Judges Choice
Sue Matney Czechoslovakian Apricot Pastry
Audrey Madun Austin Skiver
Cookie Tables
Decorating Demos Pattye Nicolls & Sue Matney
INFO
2024 HOLIDAY COOKIE FESTIVAL
The Holiday Cookie Festival event at HeART Gallery/St. Paul’s Lutheran church, focuses on flavor-filled ethnic and family traditions from around the world, that have found a home in northwest Ohio. The event will be held on Saturday,
Oct 12 and Thursday, Oct 17 at noon, and includes a lunch, guest speaker, cookie recipes, and demonstrations. You’ll discover a “story in every bite” as we explore our diversity in culture around the greater Toledo area.
To participate as a baker, you must provide 3 dozen cookies, the recipe and tradition behind the bake. Recipes will be printed for those in attendance.
To attend or to participate as a baker,
RSVP HERE.
Holiday traditions might include
- September - Hispanic Heritage month, Harvest
- October - Halloween, Día de Muertos, Oktoberfest
- November - Thanksgiving, Diwali
- December - Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Santa Lucia
or other family holiday cookie favorites.
"We want to use this festival as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on excellent home-bakers in the Greater Toledo area, " said Kate Philabaum, Director HeART Gallery. "We hope this will include favorite family recipes as well as ethnic cookies that our community is known for. Each cookie will be accompanied by its story of inspiration or family tradition, and we look forward to learning about each other through our holiday baking traditions."
STAGING
Cookies will be plated by HeART Gallery on themed tables. One dozen will be plated for Oct 12 and one dozen for Oct 17. There will be judging sponsored by King Arthur Flour, based appearance and taste. However, the primary focus of the festival is learning the stories and traditions behind the recipes.
JUDGES & GUEST SPEAKERS
Judges and guest speakers will be announced soon. Each Lunch & Learn event (Oct 12 and 17) will include a speaker, panel discussion with judges, baking demos and baking tips.
RESERVATIONS
Reservations to attend the Lunch & Learn OR to enter as a baker for the Holiday Cookie Festival should be made to kate@stpaulstoledo.org. Lunch is by donation with $20-$30 suggested.