Blue-Ribbon Bake-Off

I have always been a game player, especially card games. I have always enjoyed the competitive and social elements that come with interaction. Early in life, I played cards with my mother, she was a big fan of Rummy, regular and gin. As I got older the games and the players changed. With my friends, I played Knertz, Poker, and Spades. When I married, it was no surprise my spouse and her family were into card games as well, I could have it no other way. We continued to play card games with the extended family, some of our favorites included Uno, Phase 10, and Golf. Some years ago, my wife's father passed away, leaving her mother alone. To keep mom-in-law engaged we adopted what is, to this day, called, "Game Night". Family members, including siblings and offspring, meet at mom-in-law's place once a week, usually Saturday night, to play games, mostly card games. We play Hearts, Five Crowns, and a game we call Screwy Lewy. Games, especially card games, have always been a big part of my life.

My wife and I have also been big fans of reality TV. Along with the Amazing Race, Survivor, and a few of the singing talent shows, we occasionally watch cooking shows like Crime Scene Kitchen and Triple D (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives). One of our personal favorites is Master Chef Jr. I enjoy learning new things about cooking, and the kids on that show are incredible teachers. 

Somewhere in all this the idea of the Blue-Ribbon Bake-Off came to me. I like cooking, I like card games, is there a way to combine the two interests? There is...

The Blue-Ribbon Bake-Off

The county fair is up and running, which means that it is time for the Blue-Ribbon Bake-Off. Players are contestants at the fair vying for blue ribbons, using time tested recipes. To win a blue-ribbon, contestants must be the first to gather ingredients needed to complete a recipe. Beware though, while players are gathering ingredients, competitors are using every trick in the cookbook to try to stop them, including swiping ingredients, and submarining recipes. In the high-stakes world of competitive cooking nothing is off the table. A food fight like no other!