By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Northborough – At the Senior Center this morning, five judges had a very difficult task – deciding which of a dozen baked entrees deserved to win first prize in the Applefest Apple Dessert Bake-Off.
Each judge took several bites of the desserts in the main category, which included a variety of cakes, cookies, bars, and crisps, to decide which one was their favorite. Two entries, baked apples in phyllo dough and a marsala chia apple crisp, both by Rose Lee, were in a separate “diabetic friendly” category. Entries were judged on presentation, creativity, overall appearance, taste and overall impression.
The decision was difficult, the judges all agreed, but the consensus was that Kristen Recchia's spectacular apple spice cake, decorated to resemble a pumpkin, was the winner. Priscilla Hutchins apple strudel won second place and Kathleen ?McShane won third for her apple “pizza.”
Judges for the event were Dr. Charles Gobron, the superintendent of the Northborough-Southborough Regional School District; Mary Beth Benison, owner of CocoBeni Confections, a gourmet cupcake shop in Northborough; Kate Shaw, the Northborough branch manager for Central One Federal Credit Union; Matt Titus, a manager and baker at Wegmans; and Michelle Gillespie, a Realtor with Prudential Prime Properties and the chair of the Applefest committee.
“Everything was so delicious,” Gillespie said, who noted she was particularly impressed with Lee's two diabetic entries.
“It was hard to decide on a winner. I had to take several bites of each one to make sure I gave each a fair shot!” Gobron joked.