November 7, 2014 at 3:53 p.m.
Estabrook wins $5,000 Eagle Brand sponsor award in Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest
Estabrook wins $5,000 Eagle Brand sponsor award in Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest
By Kayla Thomason-
Estabrook was honored for her Peanut and Pretzel-Peanut Butter Thumbprints recipe which was entered in the Simply Sweet Treats category.
Estabrook said she had a gut feeling that if she was going to win an award the Eagle Brand Signature Recipe Award would be it. She tailored her recipe specifically to incorporate the 14-ounce can of condensed milk.
"I was praying when this award was about to be presented 'Please be for mom, please be for mom,'" said Renee Dalton, Estabrook's daughter. "I really wanted her to come away with some type of an award. She works so hard at competing and creating. She really deserved this."
When her mother won the Eagle Brand sponsor award, Dalton screamed, shouted and cried in joy, she said.
"I am just so happy and proud of my mom for so many things," Dalton said. "This is just one example of what an amazing, accomplished woman she is. She inspires all of us."
Dalton has watched her mother compete in five cooking or baking contests, including the Pillsbury Bake-Off.
"[Renee] wanted to be there because it was my last shot at it and so she flew in from Chicago and my husband was with me and they were just jumping out of their seats [when I won]," Estabrook said.
Dalton was ecstatic to be there for her mother.
"I was so honored to be a part of this particular Bake-Off because it was the last time [mom] would be able to compete given this was her third attempt," Dalton said.
Contestants can be Bake-off finalists three times. Estabrook has qualified for the final round in 2000 and 2004 so this year's competition was her final attempt.
"This is the most prestigious bake-off/cook-off that there is in the nation," Estabrook said. "They get tens of thousands of recipes and they're all blind-tested."
The judges didn't know who they were voting for until the final 10 when the paper was peeled back and the name was revealed.
Estabrook was very pleased with how well she did, especially since she was going up against 100 other contestants.
"The event was just fabulous," she said.
There were 100 GE electric ranges set up in four lines for contestants to use to create their masterpieces.
Runners took away the contestants' dirty dishes to give them some counter space.
"My mom was a pro at the Bake-off," Dalton said. "I asked if she was nervous and she said she was not nervous. She was very focused at the oven and having a great time during the grand march prior to the Bake-off."
Estabrook was so focused on her task that she didn't get a chance to talk to Carla Hall, celebrity chef from the television show "The Chew" and the master of ceremonies for the event, until the competition was over.
"I told her this was my third and final Bake-off but you are the best [as an emcee]," Estabrook said. "She was just terrific."
Dalton enjoyed witnessing the camaraderie that the contestants show one another.
"They all know one another from various competitions and cooking clubs," she said. "It was nice to see all of the support and excitement for one another."
Dalton said the event was well organized and both the contestants and their families were well taken care of at all times.
"When I got to the Bake-off floor and tasted some of the desserts that were my competition - you can do that after you're done baking - I mean they were just outstanding," Estabrook said. "The competition this year was just unbelievable."
A local country band played for the contestants during the awards ceremony and there were picture screens on the side walls that rotated photos of the contestants baking or cooking, Estabrook said. There were also pictures from the very first Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1949.
Estabrook and other winners walked up individually to receive their awards and hug Hall. They received a bronze Pillsbury Dough Boy with a guitar as a trophy.
"[Carla Hall] awarded the awards and she walked through the baking and cooking area of the contest too," Estabrook said. "She was mingling with the bakers and cookers."
Estabrook was happy she was able to share this experience with her husband and daughter.
"It was good to have my family there with me and I've had so much support [from the community too]," she said.
Estabrook's sister, Judi Maki, was the first person they called. She normally attends competitions to root for her sister but due to scheduling issues she could only cheer her on in spirit.
"She was screaming louder than I was when she was told that I won that prize," Estabrook said.
After the competition, the women enjoyed some shopping and a tour of Nashville.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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