Winner's (and Loser's) Q&A

Congratulations to Amanda, whose Peach Tart won the A&M Summer Smackdown! And Merrill may have lost, but she still gets a Q&A for being a good sport (read on below).

Winner's Q&A with Amanda

• Merrill has won the past two A&M smackdowns. How does it feel to finally win?
• Not sure how Merrill has handled this much glory, so often. 

• Anyone or anything you'd like to thank for your victory?
• I'd like to thank my mother, who lets me rip off her recipes. She is The Giving Tree of recipes.

• In the interest of good sportsmanship: what is your all-time favorite recipe of Merrill's?
• Applesauce Cake with Caramel Glaze - 4 stars!! I dream about this cake.

• What's the best thing you've cooked recently?
• This tart. All downhill from here.

• What do you hope the next smackdown will be?
• Anything but Merrill's sweet spot: creme fraiche.

Loser's Q&A with Merrill

• How does it feel to finally lose?
• It feels terrible!

• Anyone or anything you'd like to blame for your defeat?
• I'd like to blame Amanda's mother for passing on such a darned good tart recipe. Even my own family turned on me when they tasted Amanda's tart.

• In the interest of good sportsmanship: what is your all-time favorite recipe of Amanda's?
• This peach tart may just be it! But her Chocolate Dump-It Cake is also not to be missed.

• What is the best thing you've cooked recently?
• Amanda's peach tart! Aside from that, I recently made the Genius Sticky Balsamic Ribs for the second time this month -- they're just amazing.

• What do you hope the next smackdown will be?
• Something involving lots of dairy products -- I'm good with those.