What does it take to win a food competition? Utah baker reveals the secret

When RaChelle Hubsmith tried out a roll recipe, she wasn’t sure what her husband and youngest daughter would think. She put ube (purple yam) into her dough, spiced it up with chai, spread out little rosettes, and topped it with her honey butter.

But two of her favorite cooks these days are picky eaters who stick to food groups like chicken nuggets, pizza, and chocolate chip cookies. Still, her girlfriend, Hubsmith, a real estate agent for 22 years, hasn’t stopped honing his culinary skills. After all, she’s a serial food show competitor.

“I always make dinner around contests, so our family has experiences like this all the time,” she jokingly said in an interview with Deseret News.

Her Chai Ube Rosette Roll won the National Festival of Bread in 2019. In ten years, she has competed in nearly 30 of her cooking competitions and never stopped. Her latest contest she took place on December 26th. , when “Bake It ‘Til You Make It” hit the Food Network.

Insatiable love for baking

While her love of these contests is relatively new, the Utah resident’s passion for cooking dates back to her childhood.

Hubsmith describes her mother as “the queen who hosts family gatherings.” Her title came with the responsibility that she would cook all day and organize big feasts for all her cousins, aunts and uncles.

Her mother baked everything from little decorated lady cakes to pumpkin rolls.

Young Hubsmith also got a job. And the best part was being able to lick the beaters when finished. ”

Hubsmith didn’t revisit this passion until after she had three children.

“I wanted to come up with a really fun custom design that would make them feel special on their birthday and make them smile,” she said.

Utah Locals Join Food Network’s ‘Bake It ‘Til You Make It’

In her latest adventure, Hubsmith joins six other contestants in Food Network’s new docuseries, “Bake It ‘Til You Make It.”

The show, narrated by master cake artist Duff Goldman, combines two of Hubsmith’s favorites: “a reality TV show and a baking contest,” and she says the chef is being filmed at her home. said.

“[The film crew]had a lot of fun coming to my house. They were changing my lights and following me everywhere,” she says, adding that there was a lot of laughter and gravity-defying construction on the show. I promised

Attendees are a mixed bag of professionals and amateurs, including former football player-turned-baker Monnie Alderman from Newcastle, Delaware. Newcomer Lily Klinger from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mace Del Angel, a professional baker from San Antonio, Texas. Dallas, Texas nanny Sumera Syed discovered her passion for baking, according to an emailed press release.

What does it take to win a food contest?

Typically, during a competition, participants follow prompts, create a dish, and submit a recipe along with a photo, Hubsmith explained. Some contests recreate recipes, while others are judged by what’s available.

She recalls entering her first few contests and not winning at all. Her determination to do better got the best of her when she started paying attention to detail.The judges were looking not only for great technique, but also recipes for creative and fun sounds. .

So what does it take to win a food contest? A “positive attitude” is key, says Habsmith.

“I believe in the law of abundance,” she said. “If you’re willing to give, you’ll receive,” she notes, noting that she’s worked with people in the “world of baking competitions” who are never willing to share tips or answer questions. and provide recipes and new techniques.

“Dogs don’t actually eat dogs. There’s plenty for everyone,” Hubsmith added.

‘Bake It ‘Til You Make It’ premieres on December 26th at 10pm MST with new episodes every Monday.