It was standing room only today at the Block Northway, as the YaJagoff!™ team announced the winners of the 2025 Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad Stand-off. The winner of the people’s vote was Jay Obertance, who delivered a modern take on the beloved Pittsburgh classic with a strawberry pretzel tiramisu. As the winner, Jay received a $1000 donation for the Ryan Douglass Field of Dreams, the organization he chose to support‑-courtesy of event sponsors Mancini’s Bakery and My Preferred Insurance. This is Jay’s 3rd time winning this event.
The contest also crowned a Judges’ Choice winner: Hannah Olsen of Aycho Melange macarons, selected by a panel of five Pittsburgh foodies who scored the entries based on taste, texture, presentation, and creativity. Hannah’s strawberry jell-o pretzel macarons will be featured on an upcoming episode of “YaJagoff! Late Night” and will have a special table alongside “YaJagoff! at the Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival on the South Side, May 17.
Three-hundred tickets to the event—priced at $5 to offset participant costs–sold out quickly. A total of 12 contestants showcased their culinary flair, including:
- Aycho Melange
- Caffè Nero
- Doug Heilman
- Cooking Comedy Chaos
- Cookie Cookie Ice Cream
- Flour Power
- Jay Obertance (2023 and 2024 winner)
- Jenny Lee Swirl Bread
- Kemi’s Kitchen
- Nothing Bundt Cake
- Shayla Penn
- Spectrum Fudge
Seeing this fun idea grow into such an impactful event has been very gratifying. The businesses and social media influencers who participate each year are what make Pittsburgh is such a special place to live and work.
John is a Partner at YaJagoff Media, LLC.
