Best Maple Menu Contest

The returns are in and diners have selected the region's best menu for showcasing maple. People cast a total of 764 votes for everything maple – entrees, baked goods, salads, beverages, sandwiches, desserts and more. In the kitchens, coffee shops and breweries, of our area, there is a wealth of creativity, bringing the sweet taste of spring to customers throughout the month of April.

For each maple item ordered, diners evaluated for “appearance”, “creativity”, “maple flavor” and “quality” on ballots provided, using a 10-point scale. Total points were then divided by points possible to arrive at a final score, in the form of a percentage. All of the significant vote-getters scored 93% or higher, showing that northwestern Vermont is blessed with a variety of great eateries.

For the second consecutive year, Greenwood Bakery and Deli, of Richford, came in first. Congratulations to them. They will receive a blue ribbon rosette, a wooden plaque, a gallon of Vermont maple syrup and will be featured in a story by the St. Albans Messenger. They were followed closely by Missing Piece Bakery (second place), of Swanton, and The Flying Disc (third place), of Enosburg Falls. They, too, will be in focus in the newspaper story. Listed below are participating eateries and a sampling of comments written, by diners, about their maple experience.

• Greenwood Bakery and Deli: Whoopie Pie - “Softest and richest I've ever had!”

• Missing Piece Bakery: Maple Bacon Scone - “I'm not a scone guy but I had to try the maple bacon. I'll do it again. Delicious!”

• The Flying Disc: Maple Latte - “Best ever – from Los Angeles!”

• Kaiju Kitchen (St.Albans): Aurora Maple Sauce - “We want more!”

• Mill River Taphouse (St. Albans): The Sugar Shack - “The BEST pizza ever!”

• Sand Bar, Bar and Grill (S. Hero): Maple Buffalo Wings - “It was a fantastic app!”

• Mill River Brewing-Barbeque and Smokehouse (St. Albans): Maple Dumpling - “The best maple dessert I have ever had (and I'm 60)!”

• Phoenix House (W. Berkshire): Crispy Chicken Maple Buffalo Caesar Wrap - “Nice spice, good protein/veg wrap: balance and freshness.”

• Red House Sweets (St. Albans): Maple Italian Cream Bun - “The best! Heaven!!”

• Black Radish (St. Albans): VT Maple Bourbon BBQ Smashburger - “It was very delicious.”

• Catalyst Coffee Bar (St. Albans): Maple Matcha - “Amazing every time!”

• Fiddlers on the Green, at Joey's Junction (Highgate): Maple Teriyaki Chicken Tenders - “Excellent”

• Mother Hubbard's (Swanton): Sugar Maker – “Great sandwich!”

• Traveled Cup (St. Albans): Maple Pound Cake - “Very strong maple flavor – yummy!”

• Maple City Diner (St. Albans): Maple Cream Pie - “Awesome – drove 450 miles for it. Thank you!”

The Best Maple Menu Contest, now in its 5th year, is sponsored by the Vermont Maple Festival.

Beyond the snacks and fair foods of the Festival, this collaboration with area food-service providers gives visitors and residents a chance to see broader possibilities for incorporating maple in non- traditional ways. This area-wide exposure to quality maple products serves as a great promotion and enhances the experience of those who travel to Vermont to learn about our first agricultural crop of the season.