Eagle Rock Firefighters Judge Dessert Contest at Solheim

For the past 20 years, Solheim Lutheran Home has hosted an International Dessert Contest during the December holiday season. Most of the desserts, from a diverse range of nations, are prepared by Solheim staff members. Occasionally, family members of residents pitch in and do the cooking, too. Guests chefs are brought in from restaurants, colleges and other places to judge the contest.

On Friday, an unlikely cast of characters did the judging: Firefighters from Eagle Rock Fire Station 42 on Colorado Boulevard.

Led by Capt. Ron Sanfilippo and watched eagerly by a group of residents, a group of three firefighters relished as many as 13 desserts. Evidently in no hurry to come to a decision, they took their time eating everything from cakes and cookies to apple pie and Middle Eastern delicacies.

The winning dessert was a carrot cake cooked by the wife of Paul, a Solheim van driver. The Number Two spot went to a baklava cooked by Solheim Activity Director Enam El-Tawansy. And the third place was claimed by oatmeal cookies cooked by Bernadette, a Solheim staff member.

“We really try to make it fun and entertaining for seniors to live here,” said Tina Antypass, director of development at Solheim, referring to the dessert contest. “This is our way to show that we’re part of the community—and our community needs to know that people have fun here.”

On Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Solheim Luther Home will host its 3rd Annual "Spirit of Giving" Christmas boutique, kicking off the holiday season. Click here to read more.