Student winners of America's Best Raisin Bread Contest announced

The California Raisin Marketing Board has announced the winners of its third annual America's Best Raisin Bread Contest, a competition that recognizes aspiring and working bakers for their skills. The 38 professional and student finalists who advanced to the second round prepared their breads for a panel of judges at the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan, Kan., Oct. 14 to 16. The four student winners (pictured, below) are:

• Artisan Co-Grand Prize winners: Chee Her, California State University Fresno, with her Pan De Pasas; and Oprah Davidson, Ritz-Carlton/Johnson & Wales University, with her Caramelized Apples & Golden Raisin Ciabatta
• Commercial Grand Prize winner: Kacy Charlesworth, Pennsylvania College of Technology, with her Thanksgiving Raisin Bread
• Breakfast Grand Prize winner: Katrina Snelgrove, Pennsylvania College of Technology, with her Coconut Rum Raisin Bread

The winners will receive a five-day California vacation with visits to the Culinary Institute of America, Yosemite National Park and the San Joaquin Valley. For more information, visit www.calraisins.org.

Artisan Co-Grand Prize winner Chee Her

Artisan Co-Grand Prize winner Oprah Davidson

Commercial Grand Prize winner Kacy Charlesworth

Breakfast Grand Prize winner Katrina Snelgrove