DiscussionsBake-Off® Contest

I'm dying to know if anyone has been notified that they are finalists for the Bakeoff yet.  I entered for the first time this year, so I know I shouldn't get my hopes up but can't help it.  If anyone was told they are a finalist please answer! Thanks.

I got in once (2008 bakeoff) and they actually left a message on my answering machine telling me to call them back.  so they don't necessarily need you to be home when they are doing the calls.  that said, if you don't have a answering machine or voicemail OR if your phone was out due to Irene (like mine was) I think you can still hold a tiny sliver of hope.  My hope is waning FAST but I guess I refuse to give up til the fat lady sings.

also, I knew someone who got in in 2008 and halfway through filling out the paperwork (maybe 2 weeks after being notified) she decided it was too much work/too intrusive so she gave up her spot!!  so they called one lucky alternate.  I am sure there are others who drop our for various reasons...

There is always a chance!  The last set of online voting will run Sept 14 to Sept 28.  Apparently from the rules, the two competing against each other are notified just before that date so they can contact friends, family to vote for them.  As for calling again, they have in the past and left messages to call back.  One contestant a few years ago was on a cruise and was hard to reach, but they finally did.  So I think they do make every effort!  I'm not sure if they have made all their calls yet, there is always a possibility that they haven't.  Good luck!

I don't believe every person is called on day one.  I was a finalist in 2008. They were notifying people starting in October.  I don't remember the day I was called but it certainly was not day one.  I was not home and they left me a voice message and I called them back.  I know someone who was an alternate and she wasn't notified until just before Thanksgiving so anything is possible.  There is a lot of work to be done with each finalist and I don't think they have a ton of people calling. There are probably 8 or 10 callers notifying people and organzing everything.  Once they contact you by phone everything else is done online through a special website and through email.

Regarding alternates, any number of things could happen that would disqualify a potential finalist or could keep them from going to the competition.  Someone may have gotten ill or may be pregnant and has a due date the same day as the finals. (Someone in 2008 brought her 2-week old baby, she just made it!)  Or someone may have taken a job or had a spouse take a job with one of the sponsers which would disqualify them.

I would say that you could easily be contacted over the next two weeks, don't give up hope yet.