News

Apple Recipe contest winners announced

Keira Donaldson was named Grand Champion of the Apple Recipe contest during the N.C. Apple Festival.

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 3, 2025

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Henderson County recently announced the winners of this year’s Apple Recipe Contest.

The contest held during the 79th N.C. Apple Festival over Labor Day weekend in Hendersonville included 35 entries in four categories.
Keira Donaldson was named Grand Champion for her Chouchou aux Pommes.
The Fletcher Village Bakery was the local business winner for its Dutch Raisin Walnut Apple Pie.
Winners in the Desserts category include:
• Marlene Merrell - first place for We Will Survive WNC (from Hurricane Helene) Applelicious Cake.
• Tracey Trapp - second place for Apple Pie Short Cake Cupcakes.
• Summer Huntley-Dale – third place for Orchard Apple Cheesecake Trifecta.
Winners in the Breads category include:
• Shelby Scattergood – first place for Brown Butter Apple Cinnamon Rolls.
• Marlene Merrell – second place for Apple Blueberry Sunrise Coffee Cake Muffins with a Buttery Streusel Topping.
• Donna Freeman – third place for Italian Herb Bread.
Winners in the Pie/Pastries category include:
• Keira Donaldson – first place for Chouchou aux Pommes.
• Elizabeth Whitten – second place for The Orchard Scones.
• Donna Freeman – third place for Apple Raspberry Pastries.
Winners in the Kids category include
• Myers Pridmore – first place for Carmel Apple Pie.
• Claire Winslow – second place for Apple Blondies
• Keegan Capps – third place for Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls.