Fresno, CA — Congratulations to the Valley Fig Growers Fabulous at 50 Contest winners. When contacted, our Grand Prize Winner, Laurie Emerson, wrote back, “Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I won! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!! I am in shock but also so very, very happy!”

We had many wonderful stories and recipes. Thank you to everyone who took the time and creative energy to enter our contest. We were thrilled with the depth and variety of entries. Here are the winners:

Grand prize: $250.00, along with a Valley Fig Growers Gift Pack of figs, the Fig Heaven cookbook by Marie Simmons, and a bottle of gourmet Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Fig Balsamic Vinegar

• Laurie Emerson
  Her story told of her family memories baking Fig and Nut Bread for Christmas.

1st Prize: Valley Fig Growers Gift Pack of figs, the Fig Heaven cookbook by Marie Simmons, and a bottle of gourmet Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Fig Balsamic Vinegar

• Michael Cohen
  His recipe for Tunisian Fig Cookies

2nd Prize: Fig Heaven Cookbook

• Carolyn Kumpe
  Her recipe for Calimyrna Fig Stuffed Chicken with Thyme and Sparkling Wine

• Laura Murphy
  Her story told of her family’s fig tree(s) in New Orleans

3rd Prize: Tray Pack of Figs

• Sally Sibthorpe
  Her recipe for Fig and Orange Pastry Pinwheels

• Stephanie Ray
  Her recipe for Fig and Walnut Hummus

• Eric Ilasenko
  His story told of his father and memories of Fig Pasty

4th Prize: Coupon for Valley Fig Growers consumer package of figs (value up to $5.00)

Candy Barnhart
Elinor Ives
Lily Julow
Shelly Fisher
Diane Nemitz
Kathy Willis
David Krem
Elizabeth Gilmore
Mary Jo Macaro
Brenda Cole

Ricki Krivijanski
Andreann Geise
Amy Cimino
Margee Berry
Suzanne Banfield
Naylet LaRochelle
Emily Hobbs
Julia Nemeth
Deacon Maccubbin
Jessica Gerschitz