Seven Days sponsored the first-ever Sweet Start Smackdown last night at Higher Ground.The event kicked off the 3rd annual Vermont Restaurant Week, which begins today. Nearly 450 hungry diners crowded into the big ballroom to taste small bites from 10 of Vermont's top pastry chefs, all of whom were competing for the "Signature Sweet of Vermont Restaurant Week" title.

Burlington's psychotropical Guagua provided the Sweet Start soundtrack. "Chef-testants" from as far as Hardwick, Stowe and North Pomfret concocted amazingly creative dessert treats. And the celebrity judges served tart commentary. It was quite a night.

Click here to check out the dessert menu, see a scrumptious photo slideshow and find out who won.

Photo by Matthew Thorsen.