Last week, rheumatologist and VAQS Fellow Gatr-Alnada Gheriani, MBChB, enjoyed an opportunity to harness her passion for baking. Gheriana entered an Iowa State Fair baking contest with her baklava, a pastry typically sweetened with honey on layers of thin dough. After securing first place in the dessert category, she advanced to the final round in the Taste of Honey Challenge. The judges later announced Gheriana as the overall contest winner—another first-place ribbon in her baking contest debut.
Gheriana’s recipe for victory in her own words:
I have enjoyed baking for as long as I can remember, but I had never participated in a baking contest until last weekend at the Iowa State Fair.
During the contest, the judges proceeded to taste all the desserts, which are divided into classes. After I won my class, I thought the contest was over, but I learned that all the contestants who won first place in their class moved on to the division final. All six judges went to a back room to determine the winning entry. It was very competitive, and we sat for 2 hours, waiting. And then the lead judge came out with my dessert, traditional baklava.
The judge said, “I have judged many baklavas in the past and I can say that this is the best baklava I have ever had!”
Baking is very personal, and you share part of yourself on a plate. The fair was such a memorable experience for me, and the cherry on top was that when I won, my husband was videotaping as my three boys and I were jumping for joy.
The next day, a contest organizer explained that I won my class with a blue ribbon and then earned another one as the overall division winner. A sweet couple there who had participated in the baking contest for the last 30 years came up to congratulate me. They said they have not seen a first-time entrant win a class or division at their first competition.
Even more exciting is that one of the judges found my number and texted me the sweetest message. She said, “You are the reason I love judging food entries. Thank you for being you. Congratulations!” I am still so very happy. I so love the Iowa State Fair.
