Bakers and chocalatiers interested in taking on reigning Cookie and Candy Contest champion Tammy Jobbins must drop off their entries at the Haines Visitor Center by 3 p.m. Dec. 13.
The contest has adult and youth divisions.
Jobbins, who last year took first place in both the adult cookie and candy divisions, said she will be entering again this year, but don’t expect to see her first-place “Surprise Package” cookies on the table again.
“I always find something a little bit different,” Jobbins said.
When deciding what treat to make, Jobbins said she thinks less about the contest and more about the Dec. 14 open house at the Visitor Center, where the cookies are served to those waiting to take photos with Santa.
“I probably wouldn’t do, like, peanut butter. I just do a basic cookie that everybody normally likes,” she said.
Jobbins has two points of advice for competitors. “I’ve told people that presentation is a big part of it, and I don’t skimp on anything. I use real butter,” she said.
Barb Blood, whose cranberry pecan drops were narrowly edged into second place by Jobbins’ cookies last year, said she is stepping out of the competition this year to judge the entries.
“I want to see what everyone else brings,” Blood said.
Last year the contest drew 13 adult cookie, seven adult candy, four youth cookie, and two youth candy entries.
The open house at the Visitor Center runs from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 14. Pictures with Santa are from 1 to 3 p.m.
Call 766-2234 for more information.