Evanston, Ill. (May 1, 2009) — Five Chicago-area bakers faced off recently to determine which of their recipes would win first place in the Mather LifeWays Aging Well Bakes! recipe contest. The baking final was held April 29 at Mather Place of Wilmette. The five finalists were selected from among dozens of recipes that had been submitted by adults 55 years of age and older to celebrate Illinois’ active, older adults and their baking talents.
“We invited adults 55 years of age and older to share an original baked dessert recipe that brings up fond memories and inspires others to be creative in the kitchen,” said Sara McVey, Vice President & Experience Director. “The response, as well as the delicious recipes, was fantastic.”
Taking first place for her “Easy Sugar-Free Crescent Cookies” was Sue Kadison, a resident at Mather Place of Wilmette. Her recipe was selected as the “best” based on following criteria: overall taste; texture; appearance; ease of preparation; and how the recipe celebrates that growing older can be a fun, sweet, and positive experience. Sue received a $500 gift certificate for Williams Sonoma for her winning recipe.
Judges who taste-tested and scored each of the recipes included: Jane Adler, 55+ Columnist for The Chicago Tribune, Veronica Hinke, Food Columnist for Pioneer Press, Cathy Pratt, President – Wilmette, North Shore Community Bank & Trust Company, Jennie Cox, Mather Place of Wilmette, and Cara Baldwin, Vice President, Dining Services, Mather LifeWays.
Sue Kadison’s winning recipe follows:
Easy Sugar Free Crescent Cookies by Sue Kadison of Mather Place of Wilmette
Ingredients:
Pillsbury pie crust
1 jar sugar free jelly or jam
Raisins and nuts (optional)
¼ cup cinnamon mixed with sugar-free sugar
Directions:
Roll out pie crust on floured board. Dot with margarine or butter. Spread jelly over pie crust (raisins and nuts optional!). Cut pie crust into triangles. Roll up triangles into small crescents. Sprinkle cinnamon mixture over the cookies. Place on buttered cookie sheet. Bake 25 min. until light brown at 325 degrees.
The Aging Well Bakes! recipe contest marks the second contest created by Mather LifeWays to celebrate the talents of older adults. Most recently the organization sponsored the Aging Well Rocks! Song Competition, a contest designed to celebrate the musical talent of people over age 55.
“Getting older is not synonymous with giving up on your dreams,” said McVey. “In fact, older Americans who remain engaged with their hobbies and passions tend to be happier and sometimes healthier than their counterparts who don’t dedicate time to their most loved activities.”
About Mather LifeWays
Based in Evanston, Illinois, Mather LifeWays enhances the lives of older adults by creating Ways to Age Well.SM Founded in 1941 by entrepreneur and humanitarian Alonzo Mather, Mather LifeWays is a unique not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a continuum of living and care; making neighborhoods better places for older adults to live, work, learn, contribute, and play; and identifying, implementing, and sharing best practices for wellness, workforce issues, memory care support, and empowering caregivers. To learn more about our senior residences, community initiatives and Institute on Aging, please call (847) 492.7500 or find your way to www.matherlifeways.com.
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