BERRY EXCITED: It has been two months...

BERRY EXCITED: It has been two months since Melody Favish received a 2 a.m. phone call at her home in Oslo, Norway, announcing her triumph in the Oxnard Strawberry Festival’s recipe contest. This week, she savors the fruits of victory: a trip to Oxnard. “I’m really looking forward to coming,” said the 46-year-old travel writer, who will be honored Friday when her Strawberries in Mascarpone Cream is served at a black-tie dinner kicking off the festival. In another culinary coup, Favish has been named Norway’s Fish Chef of the Year for her Salmon in Lime Cream Sauce. “Salmon is big in Norway,” she said.