VALDOSTA —
As Lyndal Webb and the other eight first-place winners stood before those gathered at the 44th Annual Valdosta Daily Times Taste-off, the Grand Prize winner was announced, and Webb looked around to see who had a surprised expression on their face.
And then it dawned on her ... it was her own name which had been called, and she’d won the top prize in the event held Saturday at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.
“I was overwhelmed,” said Webb, who claimed the prize with her Spice-Rubbed Roast Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce.
Although she had entered the Taste-off many years and won second places, the retired educator had never won a first.
“It’s fun to enter. I love to try everybody’s recipes when the (cook)book comes out.”
Webb said she combined three recipes for roast beef tenderloin to produce the winning one.
“I did the instructions for the easiest one, another for the spices, and the third had the port wine sauce,” she said.
Webb received a perfect score in the main dish category with her tenderloin, which landed her $50 and a gift certificate for dinner for two from Austin’s valued at $50.
Webb’s Grand Prize winnings include $300 in cash, a Toy Watch from Steel’s Jewelry valued at $195, a Wall Pocket valued at $75 from The Farmer’s Daughter Silks in Adel, a $50 gift certificate from Fads & Fashions, and a $28 pedicure from Nails by Chris.
Grand Prize Runner-Up went Sharon Flythe with her Buffalo Chicken Dip. She received $200 in cash, a $50 gift certificate from Bishop Jewelers and $15 manicure from Nails by Chris.
Flythe not only won the appetizer category, but the dessert category as well, with her Bavarian Peach Torte. Her appetizer prizes were $50, lunch for two valued at $25 from Austin’s, and a bottle of wine from Smitty’s. Her dessert winnings were $50 and a dinner gift certificate for two from Austin’s valued at $50.
The Creative Design Winner was Debbi Hughes with Chicken and Black Bean Salad. Her prizes included an arrangement valued at $100 from Valdosta Greenhouses and a $175 basket of beauty products from Joyce Cofield of Bangz Hair Salon. Creative Design Runner-up was Lauren Reed with her Turtle Bark. She received a $50 pedicure and manicure from E.J. Burgess of Bangz Hair Salon, a $25 gift certificate from 109 Central, and lunch for two at Jessie’s Eats & Treats.
Winner of the cake-decorating category using a Titanic theme was Holly Wheelis, who received $50, a tote and jewelry from Gifts from A to Z, dinner for two from The Green Iguana valued at $25, a
$25 gift certificate from Smokin Pig, and $10 gift certificate from Zacadoos. Cake-decorating runner-up was Debbie Ives of Quitman, who received $25, lunch for two from The Green Iguana, a $25 gift card to the Smokin Pig, and $10 gift certificate to Zacadoos.
Teresa Davis of Homerville, who was selected to bring five dishes to the Taste-off, won the salad category with her Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad. Her prizes were $50, a gift certificate for $25 from Creekside Tavern, and a bottle of wine from Smitty’s.
Other first-place winners and their prizes included:
• Tammy Highsmith, breakfast foods with Breakfast Stuffed Potatoes, $50, lunch for two valued at $25 from Austins, and a bottle of wine from Smitty’s.
• Michelle Glose of Nashville, breads with Sesame Onion Bread with Caramelized Onion Butter, $50, a gift certificate for $25 from Creekside Tavern, and a geranium hanging basket from Southern Gardens.
• Tracy Corbett, vegetables with Spanakopeta; $50, a gift certificate for $25 from Creekside Tavern, and a geranium hanging basket from Southern Gardens.
• Anita Sinnott, cookies & candy with Salted Caramel Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars, $50 and a gift certificate for $32 for a haircut for an adult and child from Melanie Dame.
• 12-year-old Jordan Bunte, children’s category with Beach Chicken Casserole, $35 and a basket of goodies.
Pictures of the taste-off participants and their dishes will be included in the annual cookbook in the July issue of Valdosta Scene Magazine.
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