Yvette Churchill-Jenkins, who was named as a semifinalist last month…
By Betsy Scheinbart
An exciting turn of events last Thursday made a Jamaica woman a finalist in a national cooking contest, allowing her to compete for the $50,000 grand price Saturday in Minneapolis, MN.
Yvette Churchill-Jenkins, who was named as a semifinalist last month in Betty Crocker’s “Recipes from the Soul” contest was notified last Thursday of her promotion to finalist status.
Apparently, one of previously selected finalists was disqualified and Jenkins was chosen to complete the set of 10.
“I was shocked,” Jenkins said. “They called me on my cell phone, and I made a conscious effort not to get too happy, because someone else was very unhappy for being disqualified.”
“My husband was speechless, but my sister was not,” Jenkins said, laughing about how many people her sister called to spread the good news.
Her sister, Wiloma Churchill, said she was so thrilled, she got her entire office screaming. She also called the entire family and everyone in her e-mail address book.
“A dream has come true for my sister,” Churchill said, “I know she is going to do well for the family name.”
Jenkins and her husband, Daryl, are taking all-expenses-paid trips to the Betty Crocker Kitchens in Minneapolis, where five celebrity judges will review and taste each submission, including Jenkins’ “Salmon and Corn Cakes.”
The judges are: Daphne Maxwell Reed, an actress from the TV shows “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “Linc’s;” Myra J, a comedian and national radio personality from the Tom Joyner Show; Charlotte Lyons, the food editor at Ebony magazine and author of “The New Ebony Cookbook;” Rodney Peete, an NFL player for the Oakland Raiders; and Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton, Minneapolis’ first female black mayor.
The judges will be available to sign autographs at the Mall of America before the winning announcement Saturday.
When asked if she was excited to meet these celebrities, Jenkins said she is really excited just to be going to Minneapolis.
“Just getting on that plane – that is what I am really excited about,” she said. “It’s been a totally awesome experience so far.”
Jenkins, the only finalist from New York, will not only be competing for the $50,000, but also second and third prizes of kitchen appliances, presented by the Whirlpool Corporation. Betty Crocker will also donate $50,000 to African American Charities.
“Recipes From the Soul” celebrates the cooking of African-Americans. Betty Crocker has sponsored the contest for three years, but this was the first year the contest was national.
Entrants were required to use one Betty Crocker product in their original recipe and describe how their recipe celebrates African-American cooking traditions.
Reach reporter Betsy Scheinbart by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 138.
