Stupid Yummy Decadent Apple Caramel Cheesecake

Well, contrary to the implication of the title, I won out of about a dozen entries. Or at least I tied for first. We both had 36 points and from what I understand, I won presentation and Shauna won for taste. Not that it was rigged, but Shauna is Co-Chair for the Campaign and I am in charge of canvassers.

It was also a little uncomfortable in our leadership meeting where she and I, and then one other contestant were in the room when the results were announced. The other woman (and her recipe was GOOD) didn't place. I am just sorry I didn't get to be a judge. Immediately, someone suggested that we have another challenge, I guess it would be a bake off off. So I challenged her to an Iron Chef competition in the cafeteria. We will see...

Also, as confident as I was going in, I really didn't prepare well. I had all the preparation down leading to the event -- towels in the car to level the carrier, knives and extras to do any repairs on-site, focused look for the game face -- you know what I mean. What I didn't have down was my bake off touchdown dance. I just have never seen a white guy pull off a baking victory dance. Checking my favorite cookbooks, Alton Brown doesn't mention it a single time.

Also, it is a bit hard to talk about it with your friends at work. Sure, fantasy football stats roll off the tongue -- but talk about the challenges of using a non-circular spring form pan and they look at you like you just, well, hit on them. Sad. I mean really, if you can't talk to your closest male colleagues about whether or not mixing lemon and orange zest is better than using lemon zest alone -- who can you talk to?

Sometimes I just feel so alone.