OKLAHOMA CITY – The warm, earthy aroma of toasted wheat and yeast wafted through the air as Oklahoma’s top bakers competed with their prize-winning recipes to be named the “Best of Wheat!” The 2024 bread baking contest, hosted by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, was held at the Oklahoma State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 22.
The contest consisted of 12 classes — six in the senior division and six in the junior division. Each class winner then competed for the grand champion prize. Kendallyn Gossen, Corn, was named grand champion in the junior division with her other wheat bread category winner. Judges said her perfected braided, fine textured “Challah Bread” was baked flawlessly.
Sheila Blankenship, Hooker, topped the senior division as grand champion with her other wheat breads category winner. Judges commented that her “Sourdough Bread” was made into an impeccable artisan loaf that was suitable for any picture-perfect display. The consistent texture of the loaf had an exquisite flavor, according to judges.
The contest is an annual event sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and Oklahoma State Fair. “We had 94 entries from 45 counties this year, all champion or reserve champion winners in the county contests,” said Don Scheiber, Oklahoma Wheat Commission chairman. “We had record breaking attendance and always enjoy the opportunity to award the top bread bakers in the state.”
Other state champions in the junior division included Clara Cartlidge, Ponca City, Kay County, white bread; Addyson Oathout, Red Rock, Noble County, dinner rolls; Tayler Spray, Woodward, Woodward County, sweet breads; Korben Gossen, Corn, Washita County, specialty shape breads; and Kortney Campbell, Jet, Alfalfa County, bread machine.
Senior state champions in other divisions included Dianne Hogue, Seminole, Seminole County, white bread; Don Robison, Kingfisher, Kingfisher County, whole wheat breads; June Shepherd, Blackwell, Kay County, dinner rolls; Nancy Barth, Buffalo, Harper County, sweet breads; and Valerie Jones, Edmond, Oklahoma County, bread machine.
A cookbook with the top five recipes from every class from the Best of Wheat competition will be available online in January 2025 at www.okwheat.org.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is funded by Oklahoma wheat producers and promotes greater use 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 Don Schieber, chairman, Ponca City; Raymond Parrish, vice chairman, Hunter; Jerry Wiebe, secretary-treasurer, Hooker; Michael Peters, member, Okarche; and David Gammill, member, Chattanooga.
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Photos
Grand champions:
Kendallyn Gossen, Corn, captured the grand champion prize in the junior division of the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; Gossen; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Sheila Blankenship, Hooker, topped the senior division as grand champion of the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; Gossen; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Junior division:
Clara Cartlidge, Ponca City, topped the junior division white bread category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Cartlidge; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Addyson Oathout, Red Rock, topped the junior division dinner rolls category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Oathout; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Tayler Spray, Woodward, topped the junior division sweet breads category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Spray; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Korben Gossen, Corn, topped the junior division specialty shapes category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Gossen; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Kortney Campbell, Jet, topped the junior division bread machine category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22, with her entry of “Grandma’s Sweet Bread.”
Senior division:
Dianne Hogue, Seminole, topped the senior division white bread category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Hunter; Hogue; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Don Robison, Kingfisher, topped the senior division whole wheat breads category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Hunter; Robison; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
June Shepherd, Blackwell, topped the senior division dinner rolls category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Shepherd; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Nancy Barth, Buffalo, topped the senior division sweet breads category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Barth; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.
Valerie Jones, Edmond, topped the senior division bread machine category in the 2024 Best of Wheat Baking Contest held during the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 22. From left are Raymond Parrish, Oklahoma Wheat Commission vice chairman, Jones; Don Schieber, OWC chairman, Ponca City; and David Gammill, OWC District 4 director, Chattanooga.