Practice makes perfect: How to be the next chocolate chip cookie champion

After taking a sip of Dr. Pepper for energy, LJ Bansemer was ready to get to work. Standing on a step stool, he cracked open two eggs in a big white mixing bowl. Still on his tiptoes, he began to stir the dry and wet ingredients together.

LJ is practicing for the annual Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest at the sixth Derby BBQ Festival on September 10.

This will be his third year competing to make the best cookie, and he is the oldest in his four-to-seven age category.

“I want to get first place this year,” LJ said.

The last two years he placed second, and he has two red ribbons to prove it.

But it is not all about the medals and ribbons. One of the rules to participate is that the child must do most of the work.

“It’s kind of like another activity with your kids and getting them familiar with how to be clean in the kitchen, handling utensils, being careful around the oven,” said Kristy Bansemer.

LJ’s favorite part is stirring. Between stirs, he took a couple of breaks to rest his arms, shake out his hands and drink more Dr. Pepper before starting again.

The cookies are judged based on taste and appearance by the certified BBQ judges. Cookie entries must be turned in by 11 a.m. on September 10 at the judging tent. Registrations turned in by September 3 are $10, and late registrations cost $15.

Once he finished stirring, LJ took a cookie scoop and put the dough on a baking sheet, making each scoop a different size.

“I’m going to save the biggest one for Dad,” he said.

As far as the recipe goes, Kristy said she doesn’t have a secret.

LJ said his secret is learning.

“I learned how to bake, make cookies now and a lot of that stuff, and maybe in the future I might bake some more.”

His advice for other competitors is to practice and mix the batter well.

“You got to have a very good cookie, that’s what you got to do to get first place,” he said.

And don’t forget the chocolate chips.

Download the registration form at www.derbybbq.com.

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest is sponsored by Shelton Collision/Shelton Automotive.