Late last week, the Summer Associates at Bilzin Sumberg were tasked with one of the most challenging assignments of our young careers: judging the annual bakeoff between Jessica Buchsbaum and Paul VanderMeer. This event was one of the most anticipated. In fact, each of us received a two-page survey several months ago with instructions to disclose all of our dessert preferences. Both Jessica and Paul were given these surveys so they could each maximize their chances–though Jessica may have made charts and graphs to improve her odds.
This year’s bakeoff was an especially important one. Jessica and Paul were tied 2-2 in the all-time series, and with year-long bragging rights on the line, both competitors brought their ‘A’ game. They each made two desserts.
The winner, by unanimous decision, was Jessica’s Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, which may have been the best thing I have ever eaten in my entire life. While Paul’s Peanut Butter White Chocolate Rice Krispies with Fixins proved a worthy competitor, the judges all agreed that Jessica’s dessert was ever so slightly better. Rounding out the desserts was a tiramisu made by Jessica, and a Chocolate Tart with accompanying Kahlua Whipped Cream by Paul. We were lucky enough to be given helpful advice from attorneys (a.k.a. more seasoned dessert judges), who were all too happy to share in the deliberation process.
While we had to pick a winner between Jessica and Paul, all of their desserts were truly delicious. We were very lucky to be able to judge the bakeoff and look forward to it being the beginning of a very sweet summer.
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