The third time was a charm for Colleen Gawrylowicz, of Caro, whose Tortellini Salad won her the top prize in the annual Michigan Apple Recipe Contest Jan. 24, as part of Zehnder’s Snowfest in Frankenmuth.

The contest was hosted by the Michigan Apple Committee. Michigan Sugar Co. once again was a major sponsor of this year’s event.

Thirty-five participants from across Michigan took part in the event, competing in three categories: pasta, dessert and sandwiches. All recipes were required to use Michigan apples and Pioneer brand sugar from Michigan Sugar. Volunteer judges chose the top three dishes in each category with the top two from each category advancing to the finals, where another set of judges chose the grand prize winner.

Gawrylowicz, who entered the contest in 2017 and 2016 but did not place, finished second in voting in the pasta category, but the final panel of judges liked her recipe best and declared her the winner.

“I was very surprised,” said Gawrylowicz, who received a $1,500 cash prize from the Michigan Apple Committee, and entry and travel expenses to the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Ala., in November. “It’s usually a dessert that wins, so I was just standing there waiting to try the desserts. This is totally unexpected, especially because I was second in pasta.”

Here is a list of the top three finishers in each category. Each of them received a prize package, including 40 pounds of Michigan Sugar for first place, 20 pounds for second place and 10 pounds for third place.

Pasta
• First — Linda Schmidt, Kawkawlin, with Chicken, Apple and Bacon Carolina Pasta Salad
• Second — Colleen Gawrylowicz, Caro, with Tortellini Salad
• Third — Carol Kammer, Marysville, with Pure Michigan Lasagna

Dessert
• First — Jessica Bryant, Shepherd, with Best Apple Bars
• Second — April Cutler, Applegate, with A Pioneer’s Pearl
• Third — Susan Datte, Freeland, with Grandma’s Apple Bourbon Dumplings

Sandwich
• First — Melissa Kildow, Grand Blanc, with Pickles Apple Pork Belly Banh Michigan
• Second — Judy Jones, Bay City, with Turkey Club Apple Slaw Sandwich
• Third — Linda Cutler, Atlanta, Mich., with Gouda Apple Cranberry Grille

Source: Michigan Sugar Co.