The 2015 Blueberry Bash was held on September 27 at the high school small gym. Unalaska/Port of Dutch Harbor Convention and Visitors Bureau host the scrumptuous affair and they were happy to pull it off on the heels of the large cruise ship event.
The prizes for this year were baking related, like a stoneware bar pan and pizza pan, stackable cooling racks, a spring-form pan. Youth winner Corynn Lekanoff received a fun cookie press with a blueberry-themed apron and adjustable measuring spoons. Each youth entry received a small-batch cookie jar for participating. The grand prize winner, Jan Newkirk, received a deep covered baker, with a cookbook and salad cutters.
The youth category grew this year, from one entry to seven. Breads, Muffins, and Cakes was also a more popular category this year. A couple of the more interesting (and incredibly delicious) entries in the miscellaneous category were the jalapeno poppers and blueberry pizza.
Unalaska CVB was pleased that some contestants brought extra baked goods for the auction. Safeway generous donated ten beautiful floral arrangements that brought color and life to the room and served as great auction items. Because of these contributions, CVB will be able to continue this family-friendly, Unalaskan tradition.
A new addition was live music; the atmosphere was very pleasant with the addition of guitarist John Garduque. The judges were Sharon Svarny-Livingston, Joanne Villamor, Nick Tuttiakoff, Lori Walker, and USCG: Mike Salviati, Khris Schaus & Toni Carrillo. The event announcer was James Mobley and Jamie Stippel greeted everyone at the Welcome table.
The following is a list of the winners in each category:
Jams, Jellies, & Syrups: Jan Jonas
Breads, Muffins & Cakes:
1st: Jan Newkirk: Blueberry Coffee Crumble Cake
2nd: Naoko Kozuma: Blueberry Mousse & Sponge Cake
3rd: Albert Burnham: Blueberry Coffee Cake
Tarts, Pies & cobblers:
1st: Karley Stubbe: Blueberry Pie bites 2/ Lemon Curd & Vanilla Cream
2nd: Rubi Bacalso: Blueberry Pie
3rd: Susan Solis: Cream Cheese Blueberry Pie
Chocolates, Candies & other Confections:
1st: Debbie Sensky: Blueberry Lemon Danish
2nd: Karley Stubbe: Blueberry Lemon Bars
3rd: Addalyn Longo: Fruit Roll-ups
Youth (12 & under):
1st: Corynn Lekanoff: Blueberry Pop Tarts
2nd: Mia Weitz-Zoll: Alaska Blueberry Crush
3rd: Kaitlyn Anderson: Blueberry Limeade Cupcakes
Miscellaneous:
1st: Debbie Sensky: Blueberry Pizza
2nd: Abbey Newkirk: Blueberry Jalepeno Poppers
3rd: Jolene Longo: Blueberry Cheesecake Dip
Blueberry Art: Rylee Lekanoff
Biggest Blueberry: Ruchi Patel
Grand Prize Winner:
Jan Newkirk for her Blueberry coffee Crumble Cake