The California Raisin Marketing Board, Fresno, Calif., announced the winners of its inaugural “America's Best Raisin Bread Contest” hosted at AIB International in Manhattan, Kan., last month. The competition included a total of 20 finalists competing in artisan and commercial categories.

Co-grand prize winners in the artisan category include Luminita Cirstea, Bennison's Bakery, Evanston, Ill., for her raisin rye bread and Lionel Vatinet, LaFarm Bakery, Raleigh, N.C., for his raisin vanilla bean torsade. Taking top honors in the commercial category was Patrick Finney, Roman Meal Bread, Seattle, for his salsa Latina raisin aread.

“The purpose of the contest was to discover the best California Raisin Breads in North America and to recognize outstanding bakers and recipes that are relevant in today's real-world baking industry,” said Larry Blagg, senior vice president of marketing, California Raisin Marketing Board.