CCC Member Dianna Wara Named 2009 National Festival of Breads Champion.

Ovens heated up in Wichita, Kansas in June 2009 for the first National Festival of Breads Competition sponsored by Kansas Wheat and King Arthur Flour. Eight bakers from throughout the country measured flour, sifted, kneaded and managed fluctuating oven temperatures for a day to determine the best home bread baker in the country. When the flour dust settled and judges’ stomachs were filled with a variety of sweet and savory yeast breads, Dianna Wara walked away as the Grand Prize bread baking winner in Wichita, Kansas June 17. For a first-time national contest, the National Festival of Breads Competition was expertly crafted and executed by Cindy Faulk, Nutrition Educator for Kansas Wheat. An impressive 500+ entries were submitted for consideration. Cindy, along with fellow Kansas Wheat staff members and numerous Kansas Wheat volunteers evaluated the entries in four categories: Ethnic Breads, Rolls, Time- Saving Breads, and Whole Grain Breads. The field of contenders was narrowed to 80 recipes and kitchen testing began. Staff and volunteers prepared dozens of entries, some multiple times, plus sought taste opinions from family and friends. Favorites of the top 80 during kitchen testing were prepared repeatedly for three “tastings” where Kansas Wheat staff and invited guests narrowed down the entries to 8 Finalists (2 from each category), plus bestowed 5 Special Award Winners and 4 Honorable Mentions.  

Eight finalists competing in Wichita, Kansas included CCC subscribers Gloria Piantek (Indiana) baking Bacon Onion Muffin Broche, Judy Reynolds (Indiana) baking Cranberry and Lemonade Cream Rolls, Dianna Wara (Illinois) baking Tomato, Basil, Garlic Filled Pane Bianco and Nikki Norman (Tennessee & Florida) baking “Just One More Bite” Spiced Cranberry Lemon Danish. Other contestants joining the baking action included Jan Galloway (Missouri) baking Mom’s Best Hearty Wheat Bread, Jessie Grearson (Maine) baking Sweet Life Sweet Potato Focaccia, Tanna Richard (Iowa) baking Healthy Homemade Bread and Marjorie Johnson (Minnesota) baking ABC Wheat Bread.  

Contestants arrived Monday, June 15. Those flying were greeted at the airport and transported to the Wichita Airport Hilton. Monday afternoon contestants, guests, Kansas Wheat staff and volunteers were transported by motorcoach to Cowtown, a 25-acre living history museum to experience what life was like in a cattle town of the 1870s. Horse drawn covered wagon rides, tours of actual buildings such as Wichita’s first jail, a saloon, general store, train depot, plus original homes of the upper-class of that period and rustic dwellings were opened for viewing as everyone strolled the dirt streets. The supper bell rang at 6:30 to signal the serving of an authentic Cowtown “supper” at The Diamond W Chuckwagon of smoked beef brisket and all the trimmings. Following dessert everyone push back their chairs to enjoy world famous entertainment provided by the Diamond W. Wranglers. Three-part harmony, classic western music of the silver-screen era and traditional cowboy trail songs were intermingled with a heavy dose of homespun humor.  

A thunderstorm followed, complete with hail, so a planned outing to see the evening lighting of the fire drums at “The Keeper of the Plains” sculpture was cancelled and everyone safely returned to the hotel.

Tuesday morning, following a group breakfast, everyone gathered on a motorcoach for a day filled with experiences to allow contestants to have a glimpse into the Kansas Wheat industry and a Kansas wheat farm. In route to every location, Dana Peterson, Kansas Wheat, provided fascinating facts about what we were viewing in route and could expect from the next experience. First stop was the Cargill Flour Mill, one of the three largest mills in the world. Although tours are rarely granted, everyone was treated to a lecture of fascinating facts, plus a question & answer session. Then contestants in hard hats, goggles and ear protection toured the facility in operation.  

The group then boarded the motorcoach and enjoyed a lecture in route to the next stop; the 5,000 acre Steve Jacob Farm in Sedgwick, Kansas. Several Kansas Wheat farmers welcomed everyone, spoke about the operation and joined the group for lunch that was an unforgettable meal of fresh produce and traditional Kansas cuisine. It was love at first bite for those who’d never tasted a bierrock or one of the famous Kansas pastry-wrapped and caramel topped baked apples with vanilla ice cream; both popular items at the Kansas State Fair. Fortunately the beautiful book, Kansas Gold (included each contestants’ gift bag) contains a bierrock recipe. Following lunch everyone toured the working farm and learned about the equipment and more about the day-to-day production of wheat. By motorcoach the group followed a combine to a field where contestants took turns riding in the combine to experience the wheat harvest in action. Once the field was cut and grain truck was loaded the group followed the truck to Andale Farmers Co-op to see the grain delivery, protein/ water analysis, storage and transportation facility.  

After a day filled with scenic Kansas views and once in a lifetime wheat experiences, contestants returned to the hotel for a Simply Kansas dinner. Following dinner contestants had a chance to experience their spacious, beautifully appointed and colorful kitchens in the ballroom to verify needed supplies were available for the following day.  

Thursday morning the ovens were heating up by 7:00 am as contestants and their assigned Kansas Wheat Spokesperson took their places in their respective kitchens in anticipation of the day’s activities. The event was open to the public and included informative displays, arts and crafts exhibitors and baking sessions conducted by King Arthur Flour. Contestants were filmed and photographed throughout the day while baking and participated in radio and newspaper interviews. After delivering entries to the judging room and photography room, contestants made a quick change into attire for the banquet while judges Diana McMillen – Senior Food Editor, Midwest Living Magazine, Dr. Mary Molt, RD – Professor, Kansas State University and Dr. Kirk O’ Donnel – Vice President of Education, AIB International were making their winner selection.  

The banquet began with Master of Ceremonies, Erik Atkinson introducing the contestants as they carried their presentation tray with a sample of their bread into the room for display. When contestants presented their bread for display they received a lovely corsage made from wheat. Many individuals involved in the Kansas wheat industry and sponsors were in attendance to support this event. Following dinner and a presentation by guest speaker Trent Loos, contestants were introduced and spoke about their experiences in Kansas and recipes.  

Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat, thanked and acknowledged sponsors of the event, plus awarded Special Award winners who were also finalists with $500 each. They were Marjorie Johnson (Best Use of White Wheat) for her Lemon Coconut Twists and Nikki Norman (Best Use of Cheese) for her “Just One More Bite” Spiced Cranberry Lemon Danish.  

The highlight of the evening came when the large screen displayed a taped announcement from Mr. Food awarding Dianna Wara the Grand Prize winner of $2,000 cash and a trip to King Arthur Baking School for a class. Tom Payne, King Arthur Flour, gave the seven remaining finalists $500 each and everyone received an inscribed glass paperweight as a memento. The evening concluded for some with a late night trip to the Old Town redbrick warehouse district, known for its nightlife, for an after-party.  

Contestants departed Thursday to their respective homes and took treasured memories of the generous, warm-hearted Kansas hospitality that had been graciously bestowed upon them for 4-days from everyone associated with the Kansas wheat industry, contest sponsors, and a special heart-felt appreciation for their assigned Kansas Wheat Spokesperson (eight volunteers who donated their time) who’d made the week flow perfectly for each finalist.  

“This contest offered such a unique opportunity to have an immersion into the history of Wichita and personal experiences with the Kansas Wheat industry that I hope eight different competitors are chosen to participate in their next national contest and to experience the Kansas hospitality we enjoyed”, says Nikki Norman.  

Finalist Recipes