KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake County is full of wonderful bakers who think about and test their recipes all year long.

This year's pear dessert contest, held in conjunction with the Kelseyville Pear Festival, had 28 entries – everything from pies, cakes, cookies, tarts, and bars to breads and tacos were represented. 

The grand winner this year was Martha Rose of Lakeport who entered five desserts, winning a gift certificate from the Saw Shop for her first place “Pear-Fectly Divine Pear Pie Tacos” and a gift certificate from Studebakers Coffee House for her fifth place “Grandma's Picnic Mini Pear Pies.”

A gift certificate from Lyndall's Sports Stop Grill went to Shirley Hunter of Clearlake for her second place pear upside down cake with salted caramel.

A third place gift certificate from Kelseyville Pizza went to Sasha Reynolds of Kelseyville for her pear festival rolls. 

Shirley Campbell won a gift certificate for Pogo's Pizza taking fourth place for her pear pockets.

In addition to the winners there were many delicious entries from many local bakers including Marisa Chilafoe, Marilyn Guenther, Nicola Selph, Elaine Tracy, April Hamile, Valicia Bartlow, Robin Applegarth, Melinda Adkins, Laila Lefort, Jamie Mandeville, Kelly Thorn, Laura Patrick, Deborah Carrillo and Katrina Carrillo. 

The winning recipes will appear on the Kelseyville Pear Festival Web site, http://www.kelseyvillepearfestival.com/ , so they can be enjoyed by all. 

Judges for the contest were Madelene Lyon, a local caterer; Marcie Cadora, local restaurateur; and Chris Mansell of Lake Parts, the local sponsor for the contest.