Kendallyn Gossen from Corn, OK in Washita County, placed first in the Other Wheat Bread Category of the Junior Division at the State “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking contest held on September 22nd at the Oklahoma State Fair. Her perfectly braided, fine textured entry of “Challah Bread” which was baked flawlessly throughout topped the Junior division also winning her the title of Grand Champion with her entry.
Sheila Blankenship from Hooker, OK in Texas County, placed first in the Other Wheat Breads Category of the Senior Division at the State “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking contest. Her entry of “Sourdough Bread” was made into an impeccable artisan loaf that was suitable for any picture-perfect display. Her consistent texture of the loaf throughout that had exquisite flavor allowed her loaf to be tapped in the final round of competition giving her the title of the Senior division Grand Champion with her entry.
The contest is an annual event sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and Oklahoma State Fair. “We had 94 entries from 45 counties this year, all champion or reserve champion winners in the county contests,” said Don Scheiber, Chairman of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. “We had record breaking attendance and always enjoy the opportunity to award the top bread bakers in the state.”
The contest consists of 12 classes, 6 in the senior division and 6 in the junior division.
State Champions in the Junior division include: Clara Cartlidge, Kay County, white bread; Addyson Oathout, Noble County, dinner rolls; Kendallyn Gossen, Washita County, other wheat breads; Tayler Spray, Woodward County, sweet breads; Korben Gossen, Washita County, specialty shape breads and Kortney Campbell, Alfalfa County, bread machine.
State Champions in the Senior division include: Dianne Hogue, Seminole County, white bread; Don Robinson, Kingfisher County, whole wheat breads; June Shepherd, Kay County, dinner rolls; Sheila Blakenship, Texas County, other wheat breads; Nancy Barth, Harper County, sweet breads and Valerie Jones, Oklahoma County, bread machine.
A cookbook with the top 5 recipes of every class from the Best of Wheat competition will be available on-line January 2025 at www.okwheat.org.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is funded by Oklahoma wheat producers and promotes greater utilization of wheat in both domestic and international markets through research, market development and public education. Five wheat producers representing designated districts across the state serve as the Oklahoma Wheat Commission’s board of directors. Current officers are Don Schieber, Chairman, Ponca City; Raymond Parrish, Vice-Chairman, Hunter; Jerry Wiebe Secretary-Treasurer, Hooker; Michael Peters, member, Okarche and David Gammill, member, Chattanooga.
