Lori Welander

1996 Grand Prize Winner

An at-home mom, who had recently sold her fiber optic company, from Shelburne, Vermont, now a project manager for Smith Partners, a management consulting firm, and living in Richmond, Virginia

Inspiration for Mulligatawny Burgers:

"Mulligatawny soup, which I often enjoyed while working in the UK, inspired my burger."

Memories of BBB:

"Savoring and learning from the phenomenal welcome dinner and the wine pairings with each course.

Getting to bring my Dad, who was my grilling inspiration growing up, from Arizona as my guest, and watching the pride in his eyes (and the pain as he watched me drop a burger into the coals- fortunately not one I needed to serve to the judges!).

Meeting and talking with some of the Trinchero family members, I was struck by the strength of the family-aspect of the business, with what a large well-known winery it is.

The opportunity to meet James McNair after having cooked many of his recipes over the years knowing the smile behind the recipe has added a whole new dimension to his recipes/books. Also to meet Flo Braker, who published her books with Chapters, a publisher near my home in Vermont, a place I miss greatly!

The breathtaking setting -anything cooked on those grounds would be a prizewinner- with the picturesque Victorian Inn in the background, the gardens, and sipping a glass of wine! It doesn't get much better than that!

My Sutter Home winnings helped me reactivate my career. I bought a new computer so that I could get back into free-lancing/consulting and earn a little money again, without losing the flexibility to enjoy Vermont and rearing my son. Many thanks!"

Other Notable Wins:

Grand Prize, Sargento Cheese, 1995
Grand Prize, Diamond Walnuts, 1997
Grand Prize, Gold Kist Winning Taste, 1998
Grand Prize, National Beef Cook-Off, 2003
Grand Prize, Emeril's / ABC Good Morning America Kicked Up Recipe Contest, 2004