Caramelpalooza 2012: Sugar Rush Last Night at Smeeks

Anyone else have a wicked sugar hangover this morning? Thanks to all -- chefs, judges, caramel eaters -- who came out to Smeeks candy shop last night for the third annual Caramelpalooza, co-sponsored by Smeeks and Chow Bella. Folks began lining up at 5:30, descended on the candy/ice cream/paleta/sauce/cookie makers...

By Amy Silverman

March 3, 2012

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Anyone else have a wicked sugar hangover this morning?

Thanks to all -- chefs, judges, caramel eaters -- who came out to Smeeks candy shop last night for the third annual Caramelpalooza, co-sponsored by Smeeks and Chow Bella. Folks began lining up at 5:30, descended on the candy/ice cream/paleta/sauce/cookie makers by 7 and the confections were wiped out by 8 -- making the night short but very sweet.

So who won?

We're still counting votes and tabulating results. So check back here Monday morning and we'll announce the winners in the following categories: Best Traditional Caramel; Best Out of the Box Use of Caramel; People's Choice and Best in Show.

See the full Caramelpalooza slideshow here.

See you Monday! We're off in search of some protein.

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Amy Silverman is the former managing editor of Phoenix New Times. She is a two-time winner of the Arizona Press Club’s Journalist of the Year award. Her work has appeared on the radio show This American Life and in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Lenny Letter, and Brain, Child.