Courts pays big for winning pastry

Eighteen-year-old Queen’s Drive resident Mikella Cadougan is now $1,000 richer thanks to furniture and appliance store, Courts.{{more}}

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies student earned her prize by out-baking three other contestants in the Courts Sweet Delights Baking Competition, which was held last Saturday, November 6, at the Kingstown branch, as a complement to the company’s ongoing Sweet Deals Promotion.

The second year business student, who considers baking as one of her hobbies, prepared a Raisin Shortbread dessert to satisfy the sweet tooth of judges Jeanelle Lewis and Suzette Samuel, Home Economics teachers at the Kingstown and Campden Park Technical Institutes respectively.

The competitors were not only judged for the taste and texture of the delicacies prepared, but also time management, presentation and sanitation, during the two-and-a-half- hour-long exercise.

A delighted Cadougan said that she was thrilled to come out on top, and gave God thanks for her accomplishment.

The youngest of the competitors, Cadougan revealed that she spends a lot of time online searching for, and trying out recipes. She disclosed that she sells cupcakes at school.

She recognized her mother, Judith Cadougan, as her motivator, as well as her friends Athol, Cheresain and Jamila as sources of inspiration.

The prospective restaurant owner said that she intends to use her winnings to pay for her CAPE subjects and put some of it into her bank account.

The other competitors, who were all pleased with their creations and the opportunity to showcase them, included second place winner Marlies Hamlett of Arnos Vale, who baked a Golden Apple Torte and collected $600 for her creation.

Third place went to Joycelyn Joseph of Layou, who collected $400 for her Crunchy Chocolate Cake, and fourth place was Spring Village resident, Eunice Solomon, who baked Five Finger and Paw Paw Cupcakes.

She won an Oster Hand Mixer.

Meanwhile, Courts’ Senior Operations Manager Elwyn Phillips said that he was happy that the competitors took up the challenge, which was also designed to showcase culinary skills in the area of baking and decorating, while using top brand kitchen appliances. He said he hoped to see more persons putting their baking skills to the test the next time the competition comes around.

The treats were shared among Courts customers and members of staff.