The California Raisin Marketing Board is pleased to announce the winners of its second annual "America's Best Raisin Bread Contest," hosted at the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan, Kan., Oct. 9 and 10. The competition included 30 finalists, made up of both professional and student bakers from across the country in the artisan and commercial categories.

In the artisan category, the grand prize formulation was created by Larry Lobe, Dawn Food Products, Phoenix, for his Sicilian Raisin Bread (pictured below). Taking top honors in the commercial category was Ronald Guerrero, Caravan Ingredients, Kansas City, Kan., for his Natural Swirl Raisin Bread with 50 Percent More Raisins.


Of the 30 finalists, a total of 12 winners were chosen to participate in an all-expense paid visit to California to experience the growing areas and production of California Raisins, and enjoy California cuisine and wines at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone in St. Helena.

For more information, visit www.LoveYourRaisins.com.