Santa Rosa man wins Thomas’ ’Split Decisions’ Recipe Contest

Santa Rosa resident Michael Pyland has been chosen as the winner of Thomas’ “Split Decisions” Recipe Contest and will take home the $10,000 grand prize.

“It was my first time ever doing a contest like this,” said Pyland, who works as an estimator for a roofing company. “My wife and I like Thomas’ English muffins. I go through phases, and every once in awhile I want English muffins with breakfast.”

Thomas’ English Muffin celebrated National English Muffin Day on April 23 by inviting fans to create contest entries with both sides of their English muffin. Pyland created a Sweet + Savory French Toast on one half and Loaded Buffalo Chicken on the other half, initially winning a spot as one of five finalists among the 9,500 submissions.

“I’m a big fan of Buffalo chicken; it’s one of my favorite foods,” he said. “The little hints of blue cheese mixed with that Buffalo sauce, I just love it.”

Every Sunday, Pyland and his wife enjoy preparing a nice breakfast together. One Sunday, he decided to use the nooks and crannies of a split English muffin to soak up the batter of French toast. When the competition came long, he decided to put it to use.

Pyland secured his victory by getting 14,000 votes online out of the 65,000 votes cast, and was awarded the top prize on May 17.

Pyland’s Sweet + Savory French Toast consists of a French toast English muffin battered with egg, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and rum flavoring, topped with a sausage patty, scrambled eggs and maple syrup.

His Loaded Buffalo Chicken has Buffalo chicken, ranch and an artichoke bruschetta sauce topped with Italian cheese, blue cheese, crispy bacon and fresh chives.

Pyland said he would savor the bragging rights even more than the cash prize.

“I anticipate cooking more,” he said. “My aunts already said if I win, I have to make breakfast and lunch for the family someday.”

Staff Writer Diane Peterson can be reached at 707-521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @dianepete56