Over 500 entries were submitted to EDWARDS 2nd Invent Your Own Indulgence. Texas-based Harwood Marketing Group narrowed submissions to 200+ eligible entries and selected 20 recipes for kitchen testing. Following kitchen testing at Schwan's Bakery in Atlanta, three national finalists were named; Elise Lalor - WA, Teresa Cardin - MO, and Nikki Norman - FL / TN; all CCC members.

Finalists were awarded airfare for the 3-day, 2-night trip for two to Atlanta, September 22 - 24, accommodations at the Westin Perimeter North Hotel, $500 in spending money and a $300 Williams-Sonoma gift certificate. Contestants were welcomed at check-in with a large Wine Country sweet and savory favorites-filled basket, including a decorative candy dish and cheese knife to round out the delectable gift.

Contestants enjoyed leisure time Friday evening and were taken Saturday morning to the manufacturing operations for Schwan's where they were greeted by staff, judges and a lovely continental breakfast. Contestants met company representatives, were individually interviewed by EDWARDS' public relations firm, and each finalist discussed before the assembled group the inspiration for their winning creation and favorite EDWARDS product.

Contestants prepared their entries in Schwan's research and development kitchen along with the judges who put their unique culinary spin on each entry. Judges included Schwan's Executive Chef Fritz Schultz, Chef Kit Kiefer and Food Scientist Karen White, a Schwan's Product Development Manager. Following food styling and a photo shoot, judges convened to make their final decisions. 

The awards ceremony immediately followed which began with each judge giving his / her critique of each entry; highlighting positive and negative attributes of each recipe, plus suggestions for recipe improvement. Each finalist received an Olympic-style culinary medallion and glass trophy and the Grand Prize / First Place $5,000 4-day trip for two to NYC was awarded to 2005 returning finalist and CCC member, Elise Lalor - WA, for her Edwardo Bars; 2nd place was CCC member, Teresa Hughes - MO, for her Apple Pecan Pull-Apart Calzone and 3rd place was CCC Hall of Fame member, Nikki Norman - FL / TN, for her Martini-Style Butterfinger Bliss. Following the awards ceremony and photos, contestants were taken for lunch at J. Alexander's and given the remaining time to enjoy Atlanta on their own before departing the following day.

Thanks to Nikki Norman for the pictures and vivid description