Cook’s Creation May Be Recipe for Success

By day, Gail Singer is a successful Valley real estate agent.

By night, she is even more successful as a gourmet cook.

“I love cooking,” said the Tarzana resident. “It’s my passion.”

Singer’s cooking prowess was good enough to earn her a berth in the finals of the 38th Pillsbury Quick and Easy Bake-Off Contest in Orlando, Fla.

Today, she will compete for the $1-million top prize against 99 other contestants.

“It’s the most exciting thing that has happened in my life,” she said. “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve already won in the sense that I was chosen.”

Singer submitted six recipes, one of which was selected for the 1998 competition. The Bake-Off is held every two years.

“It felt wonderful that someone recognized my ability,” said Singer, who was notified by Pillsbury officials in December that one of her recipes had been chosen. “It’s my day in the sun.”

Singer said that Pillsbury officials won’t allow her to reveal her dish, but that “It’s something that is easy to make, tastes great and has a gourmet flair to it.”

Contest rules state that finalists, who are provided air fare and lodging, will be given all the ingredients needed to prepare their dishes in kitchenettes at the contest site.

During the five-hour Bake-Off, the contestants will prepare their dishes three times: once for the panel of judges, once for photography and again for display.

What are her chances of winning? “It’s a much better chance than winning the lottery, and I feel that my recipe is outstanding,” said Singer, one of 12 finalists from California.

The Bake-Off winners will be announced Tuesday during a nationally televised program, to be shown at 10 a.m. locally on KCBS-TV Channel 2.