Posted by The Herald News, MA on April 02, 2008 at 11:01:25:
Berkley's Tena Kerns, a Pillsbury Bake-Off finalist, shows off her Philly-Goes-Mexican Cheese Steak.
By Deborah Allard
Herald News Staff Reporter
Posted Apr 01, 2008 @ 07:00 PM
Berkley — Tena Mullaney Kerns has always been a good cook, but her talent in the kitchen has never before been worth $1 million.
Kerns, of Berkley, is one of 100 finalists competing in the 43rd Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest for her Philly-Goes-Mexican Cheese Steak recipe.
She’s traveling to Dallas to strut her culinary stuff on April 14 when finalists will prepare their recipes in 100 General Electric mini kitchens set up especially for the Bake-Off at the Fairmont Hotel and Resort.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever submitted a recipe,” said Kerns, a mother of three who works as a medical records clerk at the Old Colony Correctional Center.
Already, Kerns has received a GE microwave convection oven and a $100 gift certificate and will travel free to Dallas for the competition and her chance at winning $1 million.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Kerns said.
She only wishes her mother could see her.
A month after her mother, Yong Mullany, died in October 2006, Kerns decided to try out for the Bake-Off.
“My mother was an unbelievable cook,” Kerns said. “She kind of taught me everything I know.”
Kerns followed the competition rules, having to choose at least two eligible ingredients from a list provided from Pillsbury. She said it wasn’t difficult at all for her to come up with an original recipe.
“I’ve always been a cook,” Kerns said. “I got this sudden urge to do this.”
Bake-Off competitors range in age from 27 to 72 and include eight men and 92 women. Pillsbury received thousands of submitted recipes from around the country and narrowed it down to 100 finalists.
The competition consists of five recipe categories: breakfast and brunches, pizza creations, entertaining appetizers, Old El Paso Mexican favorites, and sweet treats.
The winner will receive $1 million and a GE Profile Double Wall Oven with Precise Air Convection and also gets to choose an additional $7,000 in GE Profile kitchen appliances.
Each of the other four category winners will receive $5,000 plus a GE Profile range.
Three additional awards will be presented to winners chosen from any of the recipe categories. The America’s Favorite Recipe Award of $5,000 will go to the finalist whose recipe receives the most online consumer votes. America’s Jif Peanut Butter Award will go to the finalist recognized by the judges as having the best recipe using at least 1/4 cup of Jif Peanut Butter. The recipe rated most innovative by the judges will be named the GE Imagination at Work Award and will receive a GE Profile range and $3,000 worth of other GE Profile appliances.
“I’m going to try my best,” Kerns said.
To view the 99 other finalists’ recipes, or to vote for your favorite dish, log on to