OKLAHOMA CITY – Renee Howard from Headrick, OK in Jackson County, placed first in the White Bread Category of the Senior Division at the State “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking contest held on September 24th at the Oklahoma State Fair. Her light fluffy, fine textured entry with sizeable loaf volume of “White Bread” topped the Senior division also winning her the title of Grand Champion with her entry.
Tayler Spray from Sharon, OK in Woodward County, placed first in the Other Wheat Breads Category of the Junior Division at the State “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking contest. Her entry of “Tayler’s Punch Veggie Bread” had a beautiful display of Focaccia bread art, that also had an exquisite flavor and perfect bake consistency. This allowed her loaf to be tapped in the final round of competition giving her the title of the Junior division Grand Champion with her entry.
The contest is an annual event sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and Oklahoma State Fair. “We had 98 entries from 44 counties this year, all champion or reserve champion winners in the county contests,” said David Gammill, Chairman of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. “We had great attendance and always enjoy the opportunity to award the top bread bakers in the state.”
The contest consists of 12 classes, 6 in the senior division and 6 in the junior division. State Champions in the Senior division include: Renee Howard, Jackson County, white bread; Priscilla Miller, Payne County, whole wheat breads; Courtnie Robinson, Love County, dinner rolls; Glen Simonsen, Murray County, other wheat breads; Mary Ellen Wooderson, Kay County, sweet breads and Melody Thorn, Woodward County, bread machine. Click here to read more about the senior division winners.
State Champions in the Junior division include: Alexandra Howard, Jackson County, white bread; Makayla Jones, Oklahoma County, dinner rolls; Tayler Spray, Woodward County, other wheat breads; Kendallyn Gossen, Washita County, sweet breads; Korben Gossen, Washita County, specialty shape breads and Ridge Spray, Woodward County, bread machine. A cookbook with the top 5 recipes of every class from the Best of Wheat competition will be available on-line January 2023 at okwheat.org. Click here to read more about the junior division winners.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is funded by Oklahoma wheat producers and promotes greater utilization of wheat in both domestic and international markets through research, market development and public education. Five wheat producers representing designated districts across the state serve as the Oklahoma Wheat Commission’s board of directors. Current officers are David Gammill, Chairman, Chattanooga; Don Schieber, Vice-Chairman, Ponca City; Raymond Parrish, Secretary-Treasurer, Hunter; Jerry Wiebe, member, Hooker and Michael Peters, member, Okarche.
Photo Caption: Renee Howard from Headrick, OK receives her Grand Champion bread tray at the 2023 State Fair “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking Contest for Renee’s entry of White Bread. Oklahoma Wheat Commissioners Don Schieber, Vice-Chairman, Ponca City; Raymond Parrish, Secretary/Treasurer, Hunter; Jerry Wiebe, District 2 Member, Hooker; Karleigh Britt, Oklahoma Spokesmodel for Miss United States Agriculture representing Carter county and David Gammill, Chairman, Chattanooga also present the 1st place ribbon, grand champion ribbon and 2023 state fair medallion. (Click here to download photo.)
Photo Caption: Tayler Spray from Sharon, OK receives her Grand Champion bread tray at the 2023 State Fair “Best of Wheat” Bread Baking Contest for Tayler’s entry of Tayler’s Punch Veggie Bread. Oklahoma Wheat Commissioners Don Schieber, Vice-Chairman, Ponca City; Raymond Parrish, Secretary/Treasurer, Hunter; Jerry Wiebe, District 2 Member, Hooker; Abbigail Billings, Oklahoma Cover-Miss for Miss United States Agriculture representing Cotton county and David Gammill, Chairman, Chattanooga also present the 1st place ribbon, grand champion ribbon and 2023 state fair medallion. (Click here to download photo.)
Photo Caption – Left to Right: Junior Division Grand Champion winning recipe, Tayler’s Punch Veggie Bread, made by Tayler Spray, Sharon, OK & Senior Division Grand Champion winning recipe of White Bread made by Renee Howard, Headrick, OK. (Click here to download photo.)
