THE Leavitt Sister Cookie Cook Off

Mid-Year Cookie Update!!!

Well, its that time of the year again... time for the mid-July cookie update. The focus of this update will be ensuring that everyone makes it home for the event. It will be on New Years Eve and as always the judging will take place at 8pm sharp. Late arrivals will be disqualified!!!! Please plan vacation time and such now!

Also, the judges are considering a few twists to the competition this year... nothing has been baked yet, but the smell of a new recipe is comeing from the kitchen!

Keep the oven on,
Derek

Six year ago on Christmas Eve my brother Derek asked me to make him some of my best cookies. I gladly accepted, after all, I do make the best cookies of anyone else. Nichole quickly jumped in claiming she could make better cookies than me. In fact, she claimed she could make the best cookies in our family. And that's how it all began- The annual Leavitt Sister Cookie Cook Off. Every year on New Years eve we celebrate with a little (that an understatement) competition in the kitchen. All the sister compete to make the best looking, best tasting, best named, best textured cookie. The brothers have the easy part of tasting each cookie, critiquing each category, and picking a winner every year. It gets pretty intense.

Alisa with her no-bake cookies (she believes the contest is rigged and this wasn't her year to win). Hollies famous cheesecake cookies with fruit on top (she attempted this last year but didn't cook them all the way). Nichole Grinch chocolate chip mint cookies (last years champion). Mom's white chocolate chip cherry cookies. And then there was, ummmm, mine....The Christmas morning splatter cookies. I tried to imitate the white chocolate chip raspberry cookies from subway.

However, with no practice over the year, they epically crumbled between my fingers. Nothing new for me. Last year I accidentally set out my burnt plate of cookies. Two years ago i was disqualified for having a mini reeses peanut butter cup hidden in the middle of my cookie. And the year before that there was a hair in my cookies. Everyone had named their cookies...the grinch cookies, christmas splatters.... they gave mine a nametag that said "Don't Eat". So yes, I am pouting in our group picture and feel fully justified in doing so.

2011 Leavitt Sister Cookie Champion: Nichole

Here are some of the best cookie updates we have receieved in previous years from Chief Derek. We take it pretty seriously.

I woke up with cold toes this morning and that means only one thing: The countdown until the 2010 Leavitt Cookie Cookoff has begun! We are within 60 days of judging and questions from competitors have been filling my inbox. Just this morning, Kara sent me a report that she noticed Hollie has been taking private cookie baking lessons in hopes of taking this prize this year. Well, Carebear, you had best start preparing your own recipe beacuse Hollie is already a cookie force to be reckoned with! In response to an in inquiry earlier this year about whether bananna bread could be entered into the competition: the judges have spent countless hours researching this issue, and the final conclusion is that since banana bread does not use leavening agents such as yeast that provided it is cut into a circle like a cookie would be otherwise it can indeed be used as a valid entry. Look for more cookie updates soon!

Sincerely,
Derek
Chief Cookie Judge

Last Minute Cookie Update
We are only a few days from the Cookie Cook Off and the spirit of competition has never been stronger! Our newest entrant--Jake--was personally discussing his cookie strategy with me today--a tri-fecta attempt at blending banana, caramel, and chocolate--a brilliant attempt at differentiation that should be feared by all other entrants!

Several kitchen-keeping questions need be addressed:

1) Weston asked if a picture of a cookie could be entered into the competition. In response, the judges rule absolutely not.

2) Jaden has asked repeatedly if he can be a judge. In response, the judges rule no. In reviewing the issue, Cheif Judge Derek had the following comments, "due to issues with young and bias children in the past (Reference: The Hunter Kids 2009), we simply cannot allow Jaden to be a judge." Specific requirements for judges are being discussed, but for temporary reference, judges must be at least 10 years old and be willing to swear an oath guaranteeing non-bias behavior.

Lastly, a rumor about someone bringing home frozen dough which they plan to cook then enter into the contest has been getting around. In response, any cookie that is not freshly prepared from scratch will be disqualified. Please do not attempt to use store purchased dough.

See you all on New Years Eve!

Keep your cookies warm,
Derek

  
Bi-Yearly Cookie Update
There is no Cookie Cook-off without controversy, and this year's 2011 Fifth Annual Leavitt Cookie Cook-off will be no different. All involved have already begun speculating about potential rule changes and new competitors. Some of these rumors have been planted by previous competitors to keep people's attention on heresay and off cookie prep. Be warned, a winning cookie takes months and often times years of preparation--getting caught up in the grapevine or becoming worried about rule changes will not help a competitor in the least.

There are some questions flying around that need addressing, however:

1) First and foremost, the competition is open to both male and female competitors. Jake has already submitted his entry form, and if what Nichole says is true, his mind is set on this year's title.

2) Competitors have been screaming for years that they want the judging system overhauled. In response, key judges plan to meet July 4th, 2010 to discuss potential changes. Top changes on the agenda include: resolving bias, defining what constitutes home made, and restricting the number of kid judges. Look for July's Cookie Update for an official statement on any changes to be implemented.

Keep eating,

Derek


I arrived to class an hour late today and shortly after trying to figure out what was going on I realized too much time has passed without a Cookie Update! Well, news I have, so here it is: The Cookie Cook-off will be at 7pm SHARP on New Year's Eve. Cookie Judges will have clean palates and be ready to be tasting so competitors had best not keep them waiting as has occurred in previous years. Any entries not complete by 7pm will be disqualified! They will likely still be eaten, of this I am sure, just not capable of taking home the big daddy prize. Speaking of big daddy prizes, Weston has alluded to something a little special that he is brewing in terms of prizes. I am certain my creative cookie counterpart brother will be brewing something good so competitors had best have their recipes perfected if they’re interested in Weston special shiznazz. A Reminder: Every year people complain that they couldn't use the over exactly when they needed. Advice: expect that someone will be using the over 20 minutes before 7pm! Another reminder (specifically to Kailee) – Don’t get so stressed your cookies go amiss! Another reminder (specifically to Mom) – I love ginger snaps!
Keep your cookies cooking,
Derek
Chief Cookie Judge