Kate Wins in Overtime

I used to think I worked hard bringing you a blog post each day.

Then I began recapping highlights from Highlowaha's Second Annual Super Bowl Snack Throw Down. Now I know... I am a slacker. It is Lauren and Kate, our favorite foodies who competed this entire football season, that are true All Stars.

These two women cooked seventeen recipes over an eighteen week period AND competed in a week of half-time activities. They exemplified creativity and skill as, each week, Kate and Lauren worked to incorporate the secret ingredient voted on by our Highlowaha readers. We challenged them by selecting things such as asparagus, wine, pineapple, and everything in between.

Little did we know when we put these two women head to head, exactly how well matched they were. Both fierce competitors, both fighting week after week, and both taking their turn as leaders of the pack.

The only thing harder than creating their weekly recipes might have been judging the weekly recipes. Recipes were judged on (1) creative use of the ingredient, (2) most likely to be eaten first, (3) best photograph, and (4) reproducibility. Struble Suds, Beantown Baker and you the readers were our esteemed judges for the first fourteen weeks. The foodie who earned the majority of the votes won the overall vote for the week.

At the end of the regular season the score was: Kate, 11 votes vs. Lauren 7 votes.

9/11/09, Sausage

Tie: Lauren: NE vs Buffalo Sausage Balls Kate: Pizza Pie Poppers

9/18/09, Mushroom

Winner Lauren: Marsala Potato Skins

9/24/09, Cheese

Winner Kate: 4th Down Poppers with Sweet Apple Mustard Dip

10/2/09, Potato

Winner Lauren: Sweet Potato Hummus

10/09/09, Sour Cream

Winner Kate: Punting Pumpkin Pies

10/16/09, Asparagus

Tie: Lauren, Frittata Bites. Kate, Asparagus Wrap Up

10/23/09, Black Beans

Winner Kate: Blitz this Black Bean Kielbasa Soup

10/30/09, Hamburger

Tie Lauren: Cheeseburger Kabobs Kate: Tackling Tex Mex Bruschetta

HALF TIME WEEK LONG CHALLENGE: Winner Kate (2 points)

11/13/09, Cayenne

Winner Kate: Triple "S" Snack Sacks

11/20/09, Tortillas

Tie: Lauren, Cheeseburger Quesadillas. Kate, "Lime Backer" Tortilla Chicken Strips

11/27/09, Wine

Winner Kate: "Wine" Receiver Fondue

12/4/09, Onion

Winner Lauren: Brie Stuffed Mushrooms

12/11/09, Pineapple

Winner Kate: Upshot Brownies

12/18/09, Turkey

Winner Kate: Turnover Turkey Ring

Post Season Play: During post season play, Struble Suds and Bean Town Baker each still cast one vote. But, it was the third vote where we switched things up a little bit. Heather, Cheryl, and I agreed to make each recipe and to appoint a panel of celebrity judges who collectively cast the third vote. During play offs, each competitor earned a point for each vote they received - meaning each competitor could earn upwards of three votes per week.

1/8/10, Worcestershire

Lauren: Sloppy Joeys, 2 votes.

Kate: Drop Kick Chip Dip, 1 vote

1/15/10, BBQ Sauce

Lauren: Mesquite Chicken Pizza Sticks, 2 votes.

Kate: Bowl Game BBQ Nachos, 1 vote

The score going into this week's competition was Kate 13 vs. Lauren 11.

In true Lauren and Kate form, it was a contest to the bitter end. The first two votes rolled in earlier this week. Bean Town Baker voted for Lauren. That makes it Kate, 13 vs. Lauren 12. Struble Suds voted next. Their vote went to Lauren, making the score heading into last night, Kate 13 vs. Lauren 13. A TIE!

Recipes were made, dishes tasted, and votes were cast.

The final score is...

1/22/10, Kielbasa

Lauren: Mom's Super Easy Kielbasa Bites, 2 votes

Kate: Inside Pocket Sausage, 1 vote

Kate, 14 vs. Lauren, 13

And the crowd goes wild! What a season it was down to the bitter end.

A true and heartfelt thank you to all the people who helped make the Second Annual Super Bowl Snack Throw Down work. First and foremost, thank you to Kate and Lauren who have been troopers and good sports throughout the entire competition.

Thank you to Bean Town Baker and Struble Suds who graciously accepted our invitations to be guest judges and who provided thorough critiques each week.

Thank you to Heather who really did most of the organizing and to Katie K. who generated many of our weekly polls.

Cheryl, your picture collage is, of course, first rate.

And to Michelle and all the other fans who turned out every week interested in the outcome, thank you.

But wait...

Don't go yet. Tune in next week to find out what secret ingredient Kate must cook with and who she will be up against in Super Bowl XXXXIV.

Signing off until tomorrow...