Baking winner at the Matthews Community Market

Is that the happiest smile you've seen in a while? Miyako Loesner was the winner Saturday morning at the annual Matthews Community Farmer's Market baking contest. Among her winnings: A copy of Peter Reinhart's book "The Joy of Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Baking" and a vase of fresh, locally grown flowers.

The theme this year was fresh spring produce and most of the contestants bought everything locally -- and from the market. The judges were myself, Peter Reinhart, Sam Stachon of Kings Bakery and chef Charles Semail of Chef Charles Catering. 

The "carrot" roll is at the top of the picture, toward the back.

The theme was challenging -- no simple strawberry tarts this time. But for creativity, these bakers really pulled it out. Second place was the goat cheese and fresh spring onion tart by Bernadette Franco and third place went to Kohlrabi, Kale and Onion Hand Pies (seriously, much tastier than it sounds) by Roxanne Morgan.

But Miyako Loesner really blew out the stops, winning both first place and the People's Choice award. Her entry was a delicate and lovely carrot rolls, with a gluten-free green cake rolled around a light orange filling: She made the "flour" by drying and grinding up green carrot tops and made a bright orange carrot jam to use in the filling. Seriously, that's getting creative. 

Loesner is a market volunteer in addition to being a waitress at Minoda's Kabuto Japanese Steak House in Charlotte.