Beardstown native competes in Hardee's biscuit baker contest

Sharia “Shae” Medina was promoted from back line cook to biscuit baker at the Beardstown Hardees just six months ago.

But her short tenure didn’t impede her progress in the Franklin, Tennessee-based fast food chain’s Hardee’s Biscuit Baker Competition. The 29-year-old Beardstown native was one of 13 regional contestants competing for the national title out of more than 200 Hardee’s employees who entered the competition in January.

Medina squared off last week against competitors from Iowa and Indiana at the Springfield Hardee’s at 3217 Clear Lake Ave. – the location for one of four regional contests.

“It’s not hard to make them,” Medina said. “You just have to follow the procedure. My general manager every single day would tell me ‘Follow the procedure’ or ‘That’s not the procedure.’

“Thanks to him I got this far.”

Contestants had a set time to make a pan of biscuits judged on appearance, weight, diameter, height, texture, taste and color. Judges also factored in bakers’ appearance, knowledge of the biscuit procedure and how they set up their biscuit station.

Contestants with the top four scores will move onto the final round in Franklin, Tennessee, in September to compete for the $10,000 grand prize and bragging rights.

Medina – who scored just below the cut in sixth place – said there are other rewards besides winning.

“My general manager tells me customers can tell the days I’m not here,” she said. “That feels good.”

Natalie Morris can be reached at 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Beardstown Illinois native competes in Hardee's biscuit baking contest