Mondelēz International has announced the winners of its recently-held 2022 RITZ Crushed Crackers Recipe Contest presented by Chef’s Roll.

Contest participants included US-based chefs, professional cooks, restaurant operators and culinary students and yielded 155 entries featuring original recipes incorporating RITZ Crushed Crackers. Recipes were judged on originality, image appeal and creative use of RITZ Crushed Crackers as an ingredient.

The winners are:

Grand Prize

Chef Lauren Katz, Pimento & Bacon Pastry Poppers made with RITZ Crackers. A jalapeño is filled with bacon, pimento cheese, and scallions, and then dipped in a layer of RITZ Crushed Crackers, spiraled with a little puff pastry, and baked. Chef Lauren received $5,000, plus a custom painted Luna mixer from Waring Commercial and a custom blade from Meglio Knives. Chef Lauren is currently the Executive Chef at The Difference Baker in Ashburn, VA. She also won the first season of “Great American Baking Show” and has competed in over 50 cooking competitions across the country.

Second Prize

Chef Justin Gaspar, Peanut Butter Crunch Pie made with RITZ Crushed Crackers. A RITZ Crushed Crackers crust filled with peanut butter white chocolate with RITZ Crushed Crackers, salted caramel ganache, and white chocolate RITZ Crushed Crackers and toffee on top. Chef Justin won a $1,500 cash prize and custom blade from Meglio Knives. He is a partner at Hommage Bakehouse in San Diego and was a winner of the show “Baker’s Dozen” (season one, episode eight) that aired in October 2021.

Third Prize

Chef Erin Hungsberg, Trail Mix Tart made with RITZ Crushed Crackers. RITZ Crushed Crackers tart shell filled with chocolate fudge ganache, white chocolate & cranberry blondie bars, dulce de leche, roasted pistachios and topped with brulee meringue. Chef Erin won a $1,000 cash prize and a custom blade from Meglio Knives. She is a self-taught chef and recipe developer.

Culinary Student Winner

Chef Rosalie Phan, Pistachio Rose Tart with RITZ Crushed Crackers. RITZ Crushed Crackers meringue filling with the flavors of pistachios, cardamom, and rose water on a base of RITZ Crushed Crackers Pate Sucree tart shell. Topped with a floral and tart raspberry lychee sauce. Chef Rosalie won a $500 cash prize and a custom blade from Meglio Knives. She is currently a student at SUNY Schenectady Hospitality.

“We were looking for entries that offered a truly unique and delicious way to incorporate RITZ Crushed Crackers into a recipe and each of these winners delivered,” says Donald Reonieri, business manager for confection desserts/ingredients for foodservice at Mondelēz International. “The recipes were inspirational and creative, and brought together interesting flavors to elevate the buttery taste of RITZ. We were impressed with this year’s winners and send our congratulations to all.”

More information on the 2022 RITZ Crushed Crackers recipe contest is available at the Chef’s Roll website or by checking out #2022RITZCrushedCrackersContest on Instagram to see all of the entries.