California Baker Named a Top 10 Finalist in
"Bundts Across America" Recipe Contest
MINNEAPOLIS
(October 17, 2006) - For months, bakers across
America have toiled in their kitchens amidst mountains
of sugar and flour in hopes of creating the recipe
for the perfect Bundt cake. Today, Margo Murdock
Murphy from Stockton, CA found that her time and
creativity paid off as Nordic Ware - maker of
the iconic Bundt pan -named her as one of 10 national
finalists in the "Bundts Across America"
contest. Murphy's recipe, for Flavors Di "Vine,"
a chocolate cabernet sauvignon wine cake, was
judged superior in the areas of taste, texture,
visual appearance, ease of preparation, creativity
and originality.
Margo Murdock was first selected by Nordic Ware
as a state finalist in early October. As a newly
named national finalist, Murphy's Bundt recipe
moved on to the final round of judging with the
chance of becoming the Grand Prize winner to be
announced live on The Martha Stewart Show (10
a.m. EST) on Nov. 15, -- also named National Bundt
Day by Nordic Ware in order to celebrate the company's
60th anniversary.
Murphy' s recipe includes Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
as the featured ingredient. She used Nordic Ware's
Fleur de lis Bundt™ Pan to create the recipe's
unique shape (suggested retail price is $32).
Murphy believes her cake represents California
because "California grapes produce about
90% of American wines. The black cherry and vanilla
flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon Wine compliment
numerous entrees and desserts. The Fleur de lis
Bundt Pan symbolizes the 'French Paradox,' a medical
study connecting red wine consumption and the
reduction of heart disease and certain cancers."
The "Bundts Across America" contest,
celebrating the company's 60thanniversary, kicked
off in May when Nordic Ware challenged bakers
across the nation to put their best Bundt forward
and submit original recipes for creative looking
and great-tasting Bundts. Innovative interpretations
on the traditional cake came in from Massachusetts
to Hawaii and nearly every state in-between. Charged
with baking a Bundt that best represented their
individual state, entrants put local ingredients
and themes to good use.
The Bundt cake recipes submitted for the contest
came in a variety of shapes and sizes. While many
participants chose to use the classic Bundt pan
that many consumers are familiar with, the depth
and variety of the Bundt line, which includes
nearly 40 shapes, was well represented with recipes
using shapes including the Star, Rose and Sunflower
Bundts. Even mini-Bundts made their pint-sized
presence known in several of the recipes. Fittingly,
several entrants chose to bake their entries in
the Nordic Ware's limited edition Anniversary
Bundt Pan (suggested retail price is $35). This
pan with its limited edition silver finish and
60th anniversary emblem will no longer be available
after April 2007. Nordic Ware will continue to
make Anniversary Pans in the standard cast aluminum
finish.
Each of the 10 finalists will receive a $500 gift
certificate for Nordic Ware products and move
on to the final grand prize phase of the contest
judged by a panel of baking experts including
including Betsy Wray, editor of Cooking Pleasures
magazine, Barb Strand, author and professional
food consultant, Dorothy Dalquist, co-founder
of Nordic Ware, creators of the Bundt pan and
the editor of numerous Bundt recipe books and
her son, David Dalquist, president of Nordic Ware.
The "Bundts Across America" Grand Prize
winner announced on November 15 will receive a
family reunion party for up to 50 people, in the
winner's hometown, including an assortment of
Bundt cakes for dessert. The winner's kitchen
will be outfitted with $1,000 worth of Nordic
Ware products of his or her choosing. In addition,
he or she will receive a trip to New York City
to be an audience member during The Martha Stewart
Show announcing their winning recipe.
"Celebrating 60 years of American Made Traditions"
2006 marks the 60th Anniversary of Nordic Ware.
The Nordic Ware family has prided itself in providing
long-lasting quality products, which will be handed
down through generations. Their business is firmly
rooted in the trust, dedication and talent of
their employees, a commitment to producing quality
American-made products, a desire to provide excellence
in service to their customers and their never-ending
search for innovative new kitchenware products.
You can also visit http://www.nordicware.com/anniversary/contest
for a full list of winners and recipes.
REPORTER'S
NOTE: For interviews with Stockton, CA resident,
Margo Murdock Murphy or full versions of their
winning recipe contact Brianna Gallett or Brian
Flynn at 651/228-9141. Recipes also available
online at http://www.nordicware.com/anniversary/contest/
For more information about Nordic Ware's 60th
anniversary or "Bundts Across America"
contest and its finalists, please contact Brianna
Gallett at 651/228-9141 or
brianna@kohnstamm.com