Best in Show

Bread: Jeff N. – The Birdbrain

Cake: Paige K. – The Peanut Butter Daddy

Pie: Katie N. – Miso Apple Galette

Chocolate Chip Cookie: Nicholas G. – CCC48

Baker’s Choice: Jennifer S. – Haute Chocolate Fudge Rounds

Kids: Jade S. – Pumpkin Pie

Rebel Bread Staff Pick Award

Meagan P. – Apple and Fig Galette with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

Miles O. – Bagels

People’s Choice Award

Anna M. – You Knead This Focaccia

Heather W. – Pear Ginger Pie

Lyla H. – Fruity Tooty Key Lime Pie

The Baking Contest is full! Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s contest. We can’t wait to taste!

Bread

Anna M. – You Knead This Focaccia

Bean S. – Babka

Beth M. – Honey and Black Sesame Loaf

Celia W. – Ube Sourdough

Charlie B. – Cowboy Ciabatta

Erin F. – Rosemary Parmesan Artisan Sourdough

Izaiah B. – Einkorn/Durum Sourdough Bread

Jeff N. – The Birdbrain

Jen M. – English Muffins - Classic and Rosemary & Green Onion

Jerrica C. – Chocolate Orange Croissant

Kiya K. – Sourdough Focaccia

Leslie S. – A Cleaners Gift

Lisa D – Olive Ovation

Liza N. – Pandan Coconut Milk Bread

Maria G. – Everyday EM Bread

Peter S-H. – Daddy Bread

Cake

Alexis V. – Winging it

Benjamin L. – Banana Marzipan Festival Cake

Ben M. – S’more Cake

Clara S. – Violet Velvet

Julianna F. – Mocha Cake

Jen M. – Caramel Apple Pie Cake (GF)

Katie M. – Carrot Cake (GF)

Paige K. – The Peanut Butter Daddy

Ruth J. – Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Lemon Cake

Shivani U. – Gajjar Ka Halwa Cheesecake

Wynter S. – Strawberry Fields Forever

Pie

Annalee B. – Butterscotch Pie

Chenoa R. – Golden Pecan Pie

Dan H. – Black Powder Churro Chocolate Cream Pie

Heather W. – Pear Ginger Pie

Jessica B. – Rainbow Unicorn Poptart

Katie N. – Miso Apple Galette

Meagan P. – Apple and Fig Galette with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

Michael C. – I Bribe My Friends With This

Rachel C. – Cookie Dough Tart

Rhemy B. – Onion and Pancetta Savory Tart

Tovah M. – Coconut Custard Pie

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Brittany B. – Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

Brittany G. – Salted Toffee Chip Cookie

Clara S. – Chocolate Chip Cookie

Emily D. – Paige & Brady's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie

Emma M.C. – Not-store-bought Chocolate Chip Cookies

Emory L. – Brown Butter Choco Chip

Grace K. – Everyone’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie

Grace Y. – Grace’s Pandemic Choc Chip Cookie

Jake L. – "Bite-Back" Chocolate Chip Cookies

JulieAnne D. – Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie

Jess B. – Salty Chocolate Chip Cookie

Katie L. – Salted Chocolate & Butterscotch Chip Cookies

Lisa D. – Lisa’s Brown Butter Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie

Lisa P. – Chocolate Chip Cookie

Lucille W. – Friggin Good Chocolate Chip Cookies

Madison G. – The Chocolate Chip Cookie Of My Dreams

Michael C. – I Bribe My Coworkers With These

Nicholas G. – CCC48

Prady B. – Chocolate Chip Cookie

Rochelle K. – Choc Chip Cookie

Titus G. – Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookie

Wynter S. – Chocy Chippies

Bakers’ Choice

Adam Y. – Thai Chili Pecan Banana Bread

Amy K. – Sunday Morning Hot Bread

Cissy O. – Cherry Frangipane Tart

Claire D. – Blue Cheese Walnut Tartlets

Healani N. – Scones

Helena R. – Chocolate Cookie of Your Dreams

Jeff N. – Lemon Mint White Chocolate Epi Baguette

Jennifer S. – Haute Chocolate Fudge Rounds

Kaitlin V. – Lemon Poppyseed Macarons

Kayla R. – Lemon Lavender Meringue Tart

Kylee D. – Funfetti Pop Tart

Lindsey O. – Snack Attack

Marley W. – Summery Lemon Bars

Milena J. – Hrusciki

Miles O. – Bagels

Nicole R. – Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

Nicholas M. – Tiramisu Cheesecake

Sara L. – Ragin Cajun Bacon & Egg Breakfast Bites

Sabrina R. B. – Giant Pumpkin Macaron

Thoa N – Tartin Croissant with Vanilla Cremeux

Kids

Gwynnie M. – Garden Cupcakes

Hayden K. – Berry Rhubarb Pie Dumplings

Hunter M. – Creepy Crawly Cupcakes

Jade S. – Pumpkin Pie

Lyla H. – Fruity Tooty Key Lime Pie

Bread

Allison Declercq – The Funky Flame

Patricia Swanson – Yelp Elite + Home Baker Extraordinaire

Daniel Gray – Dry Storage

Cake

Haley Paez – @milehighandhungry

Ashley Byrnes – Outside Sales

Caitlin Howington – Pint's Peak Ice Cream

Pie

Denise Mickelsen – Colorado Restaurant Association

Sarah Hall – Bakery Four

Jane Brummett – Mile High Pie Co.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Matt Thompson – Italco Food Products

China Califf – Denver Metro Small Business Development Center

Hannah Ulbrich – Copper Door Coffee

Chris Ortiz – Intueat

Baker’s Choice

Joy Williams-Clark – Edible Beats

Zoe Deutsch – Moon Raccoon Baking Co.

Elana Berusch – Food Scientist + @lanibakes

Kids

Jack Gibbs – The Den Denver

Emily Clark – Lincoln Elementary School

Olive Moya – Denver-Based Artist

What is Denver Bake Fest?

Denver Bake Fest is a new, community baking contest and festival hosted by Rebel Bread. It’s an event to bring together bakers and bakery-lovers of all kinds, and celebrate the creativity and diversity in our food community. It’s also a celebration of Rebel Bread’s 5th Birthday as a bakery.

What is Rebel Bread?

Hi and welcome if you’re new here! Rebel Bread is an artisan, mostly-wholesale bakery based in Denver, CO. We specialize in artisan loaves and coffee shop-style pastries, and love baking things that are “just different enough” – perhaps new flavors or styles of baked goods than you’re used to seeing. You can find our products at our Retail Counter, at the South Pearl Farmers Market, at Leevers Locavore and Pinemelon (grocery programs), and in a number of coffee shops around town.

Is this a birthday party?

Rebel Bread is celebrating its 5th birthday! But there won’t be any other birthday-party-style activities at the event.

Is this event for bakers only?

This event is for everyone! Think: County Fair Baking Contest (and everyone is invited to taste!)

When and where is the event?

Saturday, October 7 from 10am - 12pm in the Design District Parking Lot / in front of the Rebel Bread Retail Counter.

Where do I park?

Free parking is available on-site. The event takes place in a parking lot, and there’s plenty of parking surrounding the event. We’re also a short walk from the Alameda RTD Light Rail Station.

Do I need a ticket to attend?

Nope! This is a free event to attend, but you will need to purchase tasting tickets if you would like to sample the baked goods.

How many baked goods can I taste?

Each ticket can be redeemed for 1 tasting sample, and you can buy as many as you’d like. We’re asking bakers to make each sample to be a small serving (bigger than just a taste – like a full cookie or small slice of cake).

Tasting tickets are available online here, and in-person at the event. Please note that a ticket does NOT guarantee you will receive a baked good. Make sure to arrive early enough for the best selection of baked goods.

Is the Rebel Bread Retail Counter open?

Yes! Rebel loaves and pastries will be available for purchase at our Retail Counter from 8am - 12pm. There will not be additional food at the event other than the baking contest samples.

Who are the bakers?

Fellow community members with home and professional baking experience alike!

How many bakers?

We’re not quite sure yet, as we’re still taking baker submissions. Check back in closer to the event.

Who are the judges?

Judges will be announced closer to the event.

What if I have allergies?

Baked goods are lovingly prepared in home kitchens by each individual baker. Speak directly to the bakers at the event about your concerns.

Can I sign up to bake?

We’d love that! Make sure to read through the Baker FAQs, then sign up here.

What can and can’t I bring to the event?

You CAN bring:

• Water bottles and other non-alcoholic beverages (no glass containers, please)

• Blankets and small lawn chairs (there is a grassy courtyard in our parking lot, and limited event seating)

• Strollers (please be courteous in crowds)

Please DO NOT bring:

• Alcohol

• Ice chests

• Large bags

• Pets (except service animals with a current rabies certification)

• Medical or recreational use marijuana

• Glass containers

Can I bring my dog?

While the event takes place outside, we prefer you leave dogs at home since this is a food event.

Any other questions?

Click “Get in Touch” at the bottom of this page to send us an email. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.

Is it too late to enter?

We’ve reached our maximum capacity of bakers! Keep an eye on social media in case more spots become available right before the event. We hope you’ll still join us and enjoy tasting creations from fellow bakers!

Can you tell me more about each category?

Bread – You can enter any kind of bread of any shape or size. We consider bread anything that contains flour (need not be wheat flour), water, salt, and a leavening agent. Yeasted, naturally-leavened, whole grain, braided, gluten-free, etc. are all fair game! We’ll be judging for the best execution of a well-made loaf, including proper hydration, dough development, shaping, proofing, and of course taste.

Cake – Anything goes! We’re hoping to showcase the wide variety of the world of cake. Traditional and innovative recipes are welcome. Our judges will be looking for the best overall product, including taste and execution.

Pie – Anything goes! Any kind of crust works, and handpies are great, too. Our judges will be looking for the best overall product, including taste and execution. We love savory pies, but please do not submit seafood / highly perishable pies.

Chocolate Chip Cookie – Does your chocolate chip cookie recipe have what it takes to stand out among the rest? This is a technical category! We’re looking for a classic Nestle Toll House-style cookie, with a maximum of 1 inclusion other than chocolate chips (e.g. walnuts, dried fruit, anything else you add to your cookies).

Bakers’ Choice – This “wildcard” category is meant for you to show off your most inventive creations. It’s ok if your entry resembles something from another category (e.g. is made with pie crust, or looks like a cake), but it should be unique enough to be in a league of its own. We’ll be judging for originality.

Kids (12 and under) – Kids can enter one baked good from any of the categories. We’ll be judging for a best overall entry, including taste and execution. Contestants must be accompanied by an adult for serving at the event.

What should I bring the day of the event?

• 24-30 servings of your baked good. 3 servings will be set aside for judges, and the rest will be available for samples.

• Your own serving platter and serving utensils. Label these items with your name.

• Rebel Bread will provide hand sanitizer and gloves for serving, and napkins, plates, and utensils for guests.

• Small cooler for perishable baked goods.

• Sun protection: sunscreen, large sun hat or umbrella

• Water or whatever keeps you hydrated!

What can I expect after I register?

You may not receive an email confirmation right away, but we will email all contestants a reminder with instructions the week of the event.

Please arrive between 9:15am - 9:45am to check in and set up for your tasting. You must be available to be at your tasting station for the duration of the event (til 11:30am).

Judges will announce the winners at 11:30am.

Can I enter multiple baked goods?

Limit one entry per person, please!

Are there prizes?

There will be a Judges’ Winner in each category, and three People’s Choice Awards for the entire event. Check back later for prize info.

How do I know if I need to bring a cooler?

If your baked good contains any perishable components (e.g. fresh whipped cream, soft cheeses) you’ll need to bring a small cooler to keep it chilled! Please label your cooler with your name and cell phone number. If you aren’t sure, click “Get in Touch” at the bottom of this page to send us an email.

I entered the contest but won’t be there to serve my baked good. What should I do?

You will need to send someone to check in and serve your product for you. We will not have extra staff on hand to do so for contestants.

My friend and I entered together. Can we both serve our baked good?

We love collaborations, however, we can only allow one person serving per entry due to limited space. If you’d like to serve together, we suggest entering more than one item under each of your names and you can be at the same table.

Exceptions are Kids Category contestants accompanied by an adult, or those who may need assistance serving. Please note this when registering.

Do I need to submit a recipe with my entry?

No! But please be mindful of common allergens. We’ll ask you to report them on the entry form, and be able answer questions about ingredients at the event.

Any other questions?

Click “Get in Touch” at the bottom of this page to send us an email. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.