"King Cake Fixes Everything" a tasty Carnival competition

Carrying a pastry box protecting a Gateau D'or (Chocolate) king cake from Sucre in Metairie from pouring rain that forced a one-day postponement of the Krewe of Bilge parade through the Eden Isles canals near Slidell, Linda Cerise announced, "I already know what I'm going to bring next year: A doberge king cake from Debbie Does Doberge in New Orleans."

Karen Milanese poured champagne into a punch bowl, concocting a French 75, as her daughter, Courtney Perrett, artfully displayed the latest entry on the dining room table at her grandparents, Ross and Joan Guastella's Eden Isles home. The Gateau D'or and, a bit later, a Chantilly King Cake from Bywater Bakery in New Orleans marked the final two king cakes entered in the third annual Slidell king cake tasting party, this year themed "King Cake Fixes Everything."

There were super sweet king cakes and king cakes stuffed with more savory fillings, as Guastella family members strived to contribute both a winner and something that had never been experienced before - at least not at the Eden Isles taste-off. "We're trying not to repeat ourselves, which is a challenge in itself," Perrett said.

In addition to the Sucre and Bywater Bakery pastries, this year's competition included a Cuccidati (Italian fig cookie) king cake from District Donuts in New Orleans; a Pecan Praline version from Gracious Bakery in New Orleans; an Almond King Cake from La Boulangerie in New Orleans; McKenzie's Traditional King Cake from Tastee Donuts in New Orleans; King Cake Cheesecake from Copeland's in Slidell; a Blueberry Cream Cheese from Paul's Pastry in Picayune, Miss.; a Cajun Praline version from Marguerite's Bakery in Slidell; and traditional king cakes from Not Just Donuts in Slidell, FOM Bakery in Slidell, Manny Randazzo's in Metairie, Camelia Flour Bakery of Slidell, and Amanda's King Cakes in Slidell.

Winner of the family's inaugural King Cake Tasting Party, themed "I'm Just Here for the King Cake," was Marguerite's Bakery's traditional king cake. Last year's winner, from the party "Let Them Eat King Cake," was a non-traditional pastry from Shaya in New Orleans. This year, the contest included categories ranging from Best Traditional King Cake to the King Cake I can't Live Without.

"Our family's a little competitive," Perrett said, and she's right. In addition to the king cake tasting, the family also holds a two-day gingerbread baking competition, averaging about 30 structures each year; and a Christmas baking competition, when the family pastry chef wannabes really strut their stuff. While friendly, family competition keeps the contests innovative and challenging, Milanese said the simple truth of the matter is the family loves to cook.

With king cakes in place and the time to start sampling drawing near, so did family and friends. "We're all going to be sick in about 5 minutes," said Tom White, considering the task that lay ahead.

After carefully considering the entries - an important requirement considering one of the contest categories was Best Looking King Cake - tasting plates were filled, filled, and filled yet again. Later, with the dining and deliberation done, the winners of this year's contest were announced. They were:

Best Non-Traditional King Cake: La Boulangerie (Galette de Rois / Almond French King Cake).

Best Traditional Cake: A three-way tie between Camelia Flour Bakery, Amanda's King Cakes, and Not Just Donuts.

Best Looking King Cake: Gateau D'or (Chocolate) King Cake from Sucre in Metairie.

King Cake I Can't Live Without: The Cajun Praline King Cake from Marguerite's Bakery.

And as further evidence that no detail had been overlooked at this marvelous Mardi Gras celebration, piled high on the foyer table by the Guastella's front door was a tall stack of to-go boxes.

"So they can do it all again tonight," Perrett said with a grin.

Carol Wolfram photographs and writes stories about the people and events of the Slidell community. To reach her, email carol.wolfram@yahoo.com.

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