Since 2007, El Dorado County inmates in the South Lake Tahoe Jail have amassed more than 70 first, second, and third place ribbons at the county fair. This year was no exception.

The inmates in the culinary arts program earned 31 ribbons: 12 firsts, 11 seconds, and six thirds.

In 2007 the El Dorado Sheriff’s Department formed a partnership with the Lake Tahoe Community College to expand the college’s existing culinary arts program to the sheriff’s Tahoe jail. Every year the inmates test their quality by entering the El Dorado County Fair in the Baking and Fiery Fair categories.

The inmates develop not only cooking and baking skills, but pride and life skills as well, which leads to an improved chance of not returning to jail. Many of the inmates quickly find jobs, not only in restaurants, but also gain employment due to the work ethic and skills learned in the program.

Some of the inmate County Fair winners for 2013 were:

Justin Bozarth: Third Place Cranberry Orange Bread, Macaroons

Joseph Genobaga: Third Place Cinnamon Rolls, Pros & Cons Cake

Robert Nieri: Third Place Grandma’s Cookies, Golden Honey Granola Bar

David Martinez: First Place Raspberry Swirl Coffee Cake

Agripino Meza: First Place Fibulas Fig Preserves

Derek Bond: First Place Banana Nut Bread, Chocolate Cream Pie, Second Place Spicy cookie

Chris Hunter: First Place Pumpkin Bread, and Second Place Bundt Cake

Hollee Johnson: First Place Lemon Bread, and Second Place Cinnamon Rolls, Coffee Cake, Meringue Mushrooms, with Third Place- Caramel Popcorn

Ben Sharp: First Place Florentine Cookies, and Second Place Zucchini Bread Pecan Bars.