Judging Sara Lee's Sweet Ideas Recipe Contest!

As a food blogger, I've had some great opportunities come my way. Aside from networking with many food industry companies, businesses and even some media appearances with food celebrities, I always enjoy food related events. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Sara Lee as a judge for their Sweet Ideas Recipe Contest...

For this contest, folks submitted their original recipe for an everyday dessert or treat. Their entries had to use at least one (1) full Sara Lee Frozen Sweet Goods product:

Sara Lee Pound Cake
Sara Lee Cheesecake
Sara Lee Oven Fresh and Signature Selection Pie
Sara Lee Original or Signature Selection Cream Pie
Sara Lee Cake
Sara Lee Éclairs
Cream Puffs
Coffee Cake

Folks from all over the country participated and hundreds of recipes were received. From the nearly 800 recipes submitted, six lucky recipes were chosen as finalists and I had the daunting task of judging the recipes for the grand prize - $2,500, free Sara Lee Sweet Goods products for a year and having their winning recipe featured on the Sara Lee Sweet Goods website. Two Runner-Up Winners were also chosen and were awarded free Sara Lee Sweet Goods products for a year (12 free coupons) and will have their recipe featured on the Sara Lee Sweet Goods website as well.

Here are some pictures from my day at Sara Lee...

Banana Nut Pound Cake Pudding

 Orange Kissed Cheesecake Stuffed Pound Cake with Strawberries

 "Sweet Life" Italian Ice Lemon Tiramisu

Orange Kissed Cheesecake Stuffed Pound Cake with Strawberries (left)
'Taste of the Islands' Bananas Foster Trifle (center)

Black Forest Pound Cake Bruschetta d'Italia (right)

Power Packed Sweet Paninis (left)
Banana Nut Pound Cake Pudding (center)

Orange Kissed Cheesecake Stuffed Pound Cake with Strawberries (right)

After judging the contest, I had the pleasure of taking a tour of Sara Lee's new Research & Development building which was recently opened. It's an amazing facility full of various labs to test, research and develop current and new Sara Lee products. I left having such a greater appreciation for the folks at Sara Lee knowing how much time and effort go into all their products behind the scenes - well before their products are placed on grocery shelves and provided to commercial food vendors.

For the recipes and announcement of the winners, join the Sara Lee Dessert's Facebook Fan Page!