Michele Kusma - Taste of Croix Valley Golden Ticket Winner

Grab a napkin, because you're about to get hungry.

Back when we launched the Taste of Croix Valley Recipe Challenge with the World Food Championships, we knew we'd get some good recipes. What we didn't expect was for someone to combine two of summer's finest - strawberries and rhubarb - with a little smoke and a whole lot of heart, and knock our socks clean off.

Meet Michele Kusma of Columbus, Ohio. Her Strawberry Rhubarbecue Shortcake grills fresh strawberries right on the barbecue, bastes them with our Special Reserve Rhubarbecue Sauce until they go soft, jammy, and just a little smoky, and stacks the whole thing on a fluffy homemade shortcake with fresh whipped cream. It's the kind of dessert that makes you forget dessert isn't supposed to touch the grill.

And it earned her a Golden Ticket. Michele is officially one of our four winners heading to Indianapolis this October to compete live at the World Food Championships for a shot at the $100,000 grand prize. We could not be more thrilled to send her.

(Want the full recipe so you can make this yourself? We don't blame you one bit - find it HERE.)

Before she heads off to Foodsport's biggest stage, we sat down with Michele to talk about where her love of cooking started, how she landed on Rhubarbecue Sauce for this dish, and what she's most looking forward to in Indy. Turns out, this isn't her first rodeo - not even close.

Q: When did you realize that cooking was something you were passionate about?

"I became passionate about cooking when I saw how much joy my food brought to others. My family and friends appreciate when I prepare traditional holiday meals made from recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. They also enjoy the food that is created when I am testing a new recipe or trying to perfect a new skill. Food is my love language."

Q: What's your favorite part of tackling a new recipe?

"My favorite part of tackling a new recipe is doing the research. If I am unfamiliar with a process, I watch many different video demonstrations until I feel confident that I can do it myself. I have a cookbook collection that has helped me learn flavor combinations and various techniques."

Q: How did you choose the specific Croix Valley products that were featured in your dish?

"Favorite summer treats often combine strawberries and rhubarb. I knew that I wanted to grill fruit to use in a dessert recipe. The Croix Valley Rhubarbecue Sauce is sweet and smoky and paired perfectly with grilled strawberries."

Q: What's one life lesson you've learned from cooking?

"I believe that anyone can be taught how to cook. However, the biggest life lesson I have learned from cooking is that the more you practice the better you get."

Q: Have you competed in Foodsport in the past? What part of the World Food Championships are you most excited about?

"I began cooking competitively in 2013. I have had the honor of competing in many live competitions such as the: Manischewitz Cook-Off (2013), Pillsbury Bake-Off (2013 & 2014), National Festival of Breads (2017), National Cornbread Festival (2017), Riunite Ultimate Chili Challenge (2017 & 2019), Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Contest (2018 & 2023), National Banana Pudding Festival (2019), and many years at the Ohio State Fair. I have competed in the Dessert category of the World Food Championships four previous times, but this will be my first time in the Vegetarian category. I am very excited to see all of the friends I have made over the years in Foodsport!"

A four-time Dessert category competitor stepping into Vegetarian for the first time, with a dish that grills fruit like it's a ribeye? That's exactly the kind of bold, creative thinking we love to see.

Congratulations, Michele - go show Indianapolis what a little smoke can do for a strawberry. We can't wait to see you at the Championships this October!

Last thing - if you're a talented home cook, know that every year people just like you compete for $100,000 at the World Food Championships. It's the largest culinary competition in the world, so if you're interested in a new adventure, we'd love to see you there too!