Gingerbread expert 'throws down' on TV

JOHNSTON CITY, Ill. -- Former Johnston City resident Johanna Rosson wasn't too surprised when the Food Network called and asked her to be on an upcoming show featuring holiday talent.

Rosson is a gingerbread artist who was featured in Paula Deen's show on the Food Network in 2005 and was commissioned by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library to replicate Springfield's Union Station in gingerbread.

She was surprised, though, when Bobby Flay walked in to her "demonstration" in Springfield.

Flay is host of Food Network shows "FoodNation," "Boy Meets Grill" and "Throwdown with Bobby Flay." He also appears on "Iron Chef America" and is author of several cookbooks.

In "Throwdown," Flay travels across the country to challenge the masters of one kind of cooking. The experts think their profiles are being filmed for a show. Then Flay shows up to challenge them. That is what happened to Rosson.

The Food Network called Rosson in late August and asked for an audition tape. "They asked if I could do some local buildings and a Springfield building. I picked the McDonough County Courthouse in Macomb; Flack Barn, a German-style cross gable barn near Macomb; and the Abraham Lincoln home," she said. "I had visited the Lincoln home as a child and really love it."

The producers kept track of her progress as she worked on the gingerbread. "They first filmed me at the Maple City Candy Co. in Monmouth for about three hours, including the interview portion. Later they filmed a how-to session in my home on making doors, sugar windows and putting walls together," Rosson said. "Day three was supposed to be a demonstration session filmed at the Pasfield House in Springfield.

"When I was demonstrating, the crowd was so excited! I even said, 'You are so excited about gingerbread.' But they knew something I didn't know. They even asked me great questions. All the sudden there was a crazy roar. I thought, 'I didn't do anything.' I turned around and there was Bobby. Luckily, I recognized him. When I saw him, I said, 'Don't tell me this is a throwdown!'"

Rosson's first thought was of her mother, who was baby-sitting. "I thought, 'My mom will have to stay longer,'" she said.

Then they carried in a 13-story gingerbread Empire State Building created by Flay, with the help of a three-person staff and an architectural firm who drew gingerbread blueprints from the originals. "He had a lot of professional help, but I had the support of the crowd," Rosson said.

Rosson and Flay added the final touches to their creations. "When we were done, they brought out the judges. I hadn't thought about judges," she said.

Judges were Tony Leone, proprietor of Pasfield House, and Rob Flescher, co-owner of Pease Candies.

As part of the competition, Rosson and Flay each made gingerbread cookies to serve to the crowd. "I don't make gingerbread cookies," Rosson said. "Mine were pretty good, but his were fabulous."

Rosson could not believe Bobby Flay showed up. "He picks the expert, he says, in the field," she said. "The fact that he thinks I'm an expert is flattering."

The Abe Lincoln House asked Rosson to donate her creation and she declined. She had promised the house to her mom. She did agree to finish the four walls she put together for the show and donate it to the Lincoln House to be displayed at the visitor center.

Although Rosson would not reveal who won the challenge, The (Springfield) State Journal Register reported that she received top honors.