Twin Cities-based Pillsbury has turned to the ever-expanding world of celebrity chefdom for the emcee of next week's 47th Bake-Off Contest, the venerable barometer of America's tastes in food.

Carla Hall, co-host of ABC-TV's "The Chew," will be the face of the timeless culinary competition, being held Monday in Nashville.

Hall will announce the judges' selections from among 100 finalists in four categories, with the quartet's dishes then put to a monthlong public online vote — a Bake-Off first — for awarding of a $1 million prize.

The categories are sweet treats, snacks and sides, weekend breakfast and "doable" dinners.

Along with co-hosting weekdays with chefs Mario Batali and Michael Simon on "The Chew," Hall is best known for being on Bravo's "Top Chef," where she wowed audiences with her "Hootie Hoo" catchphrase.

Minnesota has five finalists in the top 100: Tamra Efta of Princeton, Sonya Goergen of Moorhead, Laura Stanke of Maple Grove, and Jennifer Smith and Cathy Wiechert, both of Mound. Goergen and Wiechert made the final 100 last year.

To see the recipes and other info: www.pillsbury.com/our-makers/bake-off-contest.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482