Koloa resident Lenore Klass is taking home $5,000 and the JIF Peanut Butter Award for her Banana-Peanut Butter Cream Tart, her entry in the 44th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, held Monday in Orlando, Fla.

Klass said her strategy in the three-hour bake-off was to “;start with the crust. I was under the impression that it could get really warm in that (competition) room with all those stoves and ovens. So my crust needed to be chilled before baking. It went like clockwork.”;

The Kauai woman, one of 100 finalists vying for the $1 million grand prize, says she learned to bake when she was just 9 years old. Klass' original recipe was inspired by a love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Four grand prize finalists are scheduled to be featured today on the Oprah Winfrey show, where the winner will be announced.

Though Klass isn't taking home the $1 million, she called the experience “;absolutely wonderful ... definitely a milestone in my life.”;

She said she plans to try again in the next bake-off, set for 2012. But for now, she'll enjoy a mini vacation.

“;Our hotel room is on the 18th floor overlooking Disney World!”; she said.