Murrieta muffin maker made Mimi’s Meaningful Muffin

Out of 1,600 entries submitted online, the winner of Mimi’s Meaningful Muffin contest happens to be from the south end of the Inland Empire. Murrieta, to be specific.

Linda Amendt, whose “Pineapple Coconut Crumb” muffin recipe was selected by award-winning pastry chef, acclaimed author and TV personality, Gale Gand, and Mimi’s Cafe Executive Chef, Adam Baird, will receive $1,000 in Mimi’s gift cards for her efforts.

She also received a personally signed copy of Gale Gand’s latest book, “Gale Gand’s Brunch!”

In addition, her muffin will be featured at over 144 Mimi’s restaurants until September 30.

Perhaps most importantly, for every Meaningful Muffin purchased, Mimi’s Cafe will contribute
$1 — up to a grand total of $40,000 — to Share Our Strength, the leading national organization dedicated to
fighting childhood hunger in the U.S.

Recipes were judged on taste, originality and ease with which the recipes could be produced in large quantities.

“Cinna-Peach” submitted by Jan Jacobson of Phoenix, Ariz. took second
place honors, and Caribbean Sweet Potato by Vjolca Capri, Orlando, Fla.
came in third.

“I was impressed by the
creativity, sophistication and variety of entries,” said Gand. “It was
a difficult decision, as Cinna-Peach and Caribbean Sweet Potato were
tough competition. Ultimately, Pineapple Coconut Crumb had the perfect
balance of flavors and textures and we felt it would appeal best to a
wide audience.”

If you’re interested in trying out Linda’s muffin recipe for yourself, click here to download a PDF copy from Mimi’s Web site.

Click here for a complete list of finalists.

Congratulations,
Linda, and make sure you head on over to Mimi’s to give the Pineapple
Coconut Crumb muffin a try and to help Mimi’s fight childhood hunger!