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And the Winners of the 2019 Holiday Cookie Contest Are…

Reindeer cookies, decadent ganache, royal icing and pomegranates take home wins

Amy Seaver Leale won
Amy Seaver Leale won "Best Overall" for her "Salted Chocolate Toffee Reindeer" cookies. Photos by Jonathan Black.

While the weather outside was frightfully cold, the cookies were so delightful in the 2019 Holiday Cookie Contest. 

Four judges sampled 21 submissions from employees across Duke to pick this year’s winners. 

“All of the cookies were delicious and looked beautiful,” said Michael Royster, a judge and store supervisor for Duke University Stores. “I cannot believe how talented Duke employees are.”

Submissions included mint chocolate chip cookie sandwiches, peppermint macarons and orange-flavored snowmen named Frank, Dwayne, Alexander, Zane, Charlie and Hank. 

Here are the winners:

Best Overall

Amy Seaver Leale won
Amy Seaver Leale makes about 15 different types of cookies each holiday season but decided to try something new for the 2019 Holiday Cookie Contest.

Her experiment, the “Salted Chocolate Toffee Reindeer,” paid off. Leale, IT analyst for Duke Health Technology Solutions, won “Best Overall” in the contest. She scored 108 out of a possible 120 points. 

The chocolate cookies had a dollop of toffee in the middle with two candy eyes, red M&M’S for noses and pretzels for antlers to make the treat look like a reindeer.  

“I’m so excited,” said Leale, when told she won the contest. “I love baking and trying out new recipes. I really enjoyed the whole process of making them.”  

Leale will receive a $50 card to Duke University Stores.

Best Tasting

Johanna Bernhardt, staff assistant in Duke Biology, won “Best Tasting” for her “Decorated Sugar Cookies.”
Johanna Bernhardt, staff assistant in Duke Biology, won “Best Tasting” for her “Decorated Sugar Cookies.” 

Bernhardt’s husband found the recipe on The New York Times but made some slight adjustments. Johanna left out the dried rose petals and freeze-dried raspberries. 

“I found this cookie a wonderful addition to our holiday baking,” she said. 

Berhardt will receive a $25 card to Duke University Stores.

Best Decorated

Karen Courtney, associate dean of executive MBA programs at the Fuqua School of Business, won “Best Decorated” for her “Winter Wonderland” cookies.
Karen Courtney, associate dean of executive MBA programs at the Fuqua School of Business, won “Best Decorated” for her “Winter Wonderland” cookies. 

The judges gave Courtney a perfect appearance score for her sugar cookies decorated to look like snow globes. She used royal icing and a toothpick to make the designs. 

Courtney won “Best Overall” in last year’s contest for her “Ginger Patchwork Holiday Surprise.”

“I do a blind taste test with family and friends,” she said. “It is not easy finding a good sugar cookie recipe that tastes amazing, and the cookies hold their shape without spreading.”

Courtney will receive a $25 card to Duke University Stores.

Working@Duke Honorable Mention

Working@Duke selected Stefanie LoSavio, clinical associate in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, as an honorable mention for her “‘Tis the Season Oatmeal Ganache Cookies.”
Working@Duke selected Stefanie LoSavio, clinical associate in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, for honorable mention for her “‘Tis the Season Oatmeal Ganache Cookies.”

We loved the mixture of decadent ganache and melt-in-your-mouth oatmeal cookies. The cookies were beautiful too, with freeze-dried raspberries, edible gold dust and finely chopped pistachios. 

“This cookie is a re-imagining of a family favorite chocolate oat cookie,” LoSavio said. “In this extra jolly holiday version, the oatmeal cookie is covered in decadent chocolate ganache and festive, tasty toppings.”

LoSavio will receive a “Proud to be Working@Duke” T-shirt. 

A special shout-out to our volunteer judges in this year’s competition:(Left to right) The 2019 Holiday Cookie Contest judges were Robin Woods, Michael Royster, Evan Heisman and Jason Cunningham.

  • Jason Cunningham, executive chef at the Washington Duke Inn
  • Evan Heisman, staff assistant for the Dean of Students Office in Student Affairs (2018 Best Decorated winner)
  • Michael Royster, store supervisor for Duke University Stores, (shutterbug award for 2019 Duke Time Off photo contest)
  • Robin Woods, project coordinator of facilities and space manager for Duke Eye Center (Working@Duke superfan)

Download a digital copy of the 2019 contest recipes here.

Check out how to make chocolate biscotti with this tutorial from Washington Duke Inn pastry chef Stephanie Rosse: