I have no words

This is definitely going to rank up there with one of the craziest things I have ever done. I was looking through the paper the other day and noticed a little blurb that if you entered the California Strawberry Festival recipe contest you got a free ticket to the festival. Every year we talk about going to the festival (it is only 15 mins from our house) but our Saturdays fill up so fast we never end up going. I thought if I had a free ticket (they are $12) we would end up going. So I entered a recipe (had to be an original) and waited for my free ticket to come. Well... Sunday night a lady called me and told me I had been selected as a finalist and could I come Tuesday to the Marriott in Oxnard for a mini Iron Chef preparing my recipe?! Hello?!? Wasn't expecting that phone call. I said sure and immediately began freaking out. I had only made my recipe once and I liked it but the kids told me I definitely wouldn't win. McKay told me to just have fun and chalk it up to experience. So today I arrived at the hotel 30 minutes before the contest is supposed to start (we had one hour to prepare our non-baked dishes.) I was the last contestant (there were four others - sorry for all of the parenthesis - I can't write, just cook) to arrive and my first thought was 'I am so out of my league.' I was intimidated just by the titles of others recipes. One guy has won over $75,000 in recipe contests and one lady enters 10-15 contests a month! Everyone was super nice though and I thought what the heck - here goes nothing! My recipe was Strawberry Bruschetta with Lemon Cream. Pretty simple. Here is my little station at the kitchen. I didn't take many pictures but here are a few of my dish.

I have always hated the mint that grows rampantly in our yard but this morning I was loving it!

We also got judged on presentation so Lorraine saved me with the flowers and red fabric. The pitcher is a wedding gift I had never used but is now my favorite wedding gift ever!

So the end of this story is...

I AM A FINALIST! I will participate in a live cook-off at the California Strawberry Festival with one other contestant next Saturday in front of hundreds of people. AHHHH! Like I said this is one of the craziest things I have ever done. I am nervous and excited. I feel so lucky and honored my recipe was chosen. We will see what happens. Stay tuned...

oh ya... the winner gets a CRUISE! I am trying not to think about that.

Just in case you are curious, here is the recipe: (try not to be too shocked it is in the finals) :)

Strawberry Bruschetta with Lemon Cream

1 baguette
3-4 T butter, softened
3-4 T white sugar
2 C diced strawberries
1 ½ t balsamic vinegar
2 t honey
½ c whipped cream cheese
1 t. lemon zest

1. Slice baguette in ½ to ¾ inch slices. Butter one side.
2. Toast bread in a frying pan over medium heat until golden brown. Sprinkle with sugar.
3. Combine whipped cream cheese and lemon zest. Spread about 1 t over each slice of toasted bread.
4. Combine strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Spoon about 1 T over bread with lemon cream.
5. ENJOY!