NARRATOR: This past Saturday, the Founders Inn

and Spa sponsored their first holiday bake-away.

Professional chefs, home bakers, culinary schools,

and catering companies offered up their best cakes

and pies for a chance to win one of three top dollar prizes,

sure to make anyone's Christmas brighter.

People love baking.

And this is an outlet for women particularly,

and men, who enjoy culinary arts.

NARRATOR: The contestants made an entry

in each of three categories-- a German chocolate cake, a three

layer carrot cake, and a fruit pie or compote.

Hundreds of delectable desserts are on display.

And the aroma in the air was simply irresistible.

Hey, this is my German chocolate cake.

This one here is dark chocolate.

And then the little pine cones are

cake balls with almond slices.

Well, one of-- the number one secret ingredient in all

my dessert is love.

NARRATOR: Along with their creations,

contestants submitted their recipes and cost of ingredients

to make them.

A panel of seven judges rated the entries on 12 criteria.

I love sweets.

I'm looking for something that just makes my mouth sing

and something maybe that's creative,

a little bit different than what we're used to seeing.

Oh, it looks like people have really gone all out.

There are some gorgeous displays.

They put a lot of time and energy into this.

You can see that without even tasting anything.

NARRATOR: First up to be judged was the three tier carrot cake.

I did a carrot cake that was handed down

from my sisters and my aunt and just

a pecan garnish with a little bit of candied ginger.

NARRATOR: Round two included the pies and compote.

I believe what's going to set me apart

to be the winner is my key lime pie because of the mango puree

and the raspberry puree.

It is to die for.

NARRATOR: Lastly came the German chocolate cake.

The German chocolate cake is an old recipe

that we've been making many, many years.

I made a roulade or made it kind of like a German chocolate

yule log.

And I put the coconut-pecan filling

in the center, rolled it.

And then I did ganache on the outside.

NARRATOR: Pat Robertson, founder of CBN

and creator behind the event, was one of the judges.

PAT ROBERTSON: The one that's really delicious

and that you don't get very often is German chocolate.

And if they do a good job-- or you know,

a good apple pie at Christmas isn't too bad, either.

So there are fruit pies in this mix, too.

NARRATOR: Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for.

PAT ROBERTSON: This first place award winner,

The Founders Inn $10,000 Bake-Away

is contestant number 94.

[APPLAUSE]