SOMETIMES YOU EAT THE BAR, SOMETIMES THE BAR EATS YOU. Gladys’ Award-Winning Signature Misty Mint Bars.

Retired UW-Stout professor Gladys Earl recently headed to the kitchen arena of culinary competitions – the World Food Championships – to fight for the title of  “World Dessert Champion.”

After getting bored of retirement, Earl, 76, pursued her baking passion with her own Menomonie-based baking operation called Gladys’ Dazzling Desserts. She serves up delectable, made-from-scratch treats, including her mini Bundt cakes, tarts, pies and a variety of scrumptious bars.

“I develop my own recipes so that I can provide high-quality, award-winning items that are unique,” she said. Earl enjoys working with all sorts of ingredients to create the best-tasting and best-looking treats. “I want my desserts to be nice-looking and taste good.”

Earlier this month, Earl packed up her love of baking and her award-winning Berry Special Tart and brought it all the way to Kissimmee, Fla. to compete in the dessert category of the World Food Championships along with more than 45 other contestants.

The World Food Championships is the largest competition in food sport, where qualified food enthusiasts convene and compete in different categories for a chance at winning the ultimate food crown and a $10,000 grand prize.

Earl qualified to compete in this event after she took her Berry Special Tart all the way to first place in the dessert category at the annual Bacon Bash in River Falls. As a super-qualifier for the World Food Championships, Earl received a $1,000 stipend, a medal, and a trophy, along with a registration fee waiver for the championship contest.

“I have always had a passion for baking – especially breads and desserts,” she said. “It allows me to be creative and put an artistic touch on all my desserts.”

At the World Food Championship competition, bakers had two hours to make one of their own recipes, as well as an additional assigned recipe. Earl decided to compete with her signature Berry Special Tart, and her goal was to create a unique, quality dessert and to have fun while doing it. Earl was proud to rank number 11 out of 37 entries.

“I earned a score of 90.875 points. The highest score for a signature dish was 94.5 out of 100 possible points,” she said. Earl competed alongside contestants from 17 countries and 40 states. “It was a great experience, and I was thrilled to compete with so many talented bakers from all parts of the world.”

Dessert is a food gift that has never stopped giving, and Earl doesn’t intend to stop either: She plans on taking all that she’s learned from the competition back home to Menomonie. “I will continue developing new recipes, enter upcoming contests, and continue to grow my business,” she said.

If you want a taste of Gladys’ Award-winning Signature Misty Mint Bars, they will be for sale at The Local Store for two weekends in December (Dec. 12 and 13, and Dec. 19 and 20).