Cynthia Shifrin makes the best kugel in town. Close friends and family have known this for ages, but now the word is out. In January, Shifrin’s personally developed recipe for noodle kugel — an Eastern European Jewish casserole dish — won the “Kugel Showdown” at Goldbergs’ Famous Delicatessen in Factoria.

As part of her reward, Shifrin’s kugel will be added to the deli’s menu later this month. The Islander also won a $100 gift certificate to the deli and restaurant.

“Really, the best compliment was that they told me, not only did I win, but I won hands-down,” she said, adding that she did not find out she was the winner for several days “because they had taken my cell phone number down wrong.” When she finally called the deli to inquire about the winner, she learned it was herself.

“It’s really been quite a journey. I’ve honed this recipe over the years. My family and friends just love it. They tell me I should sell my kugels,” she said.

In fact, Shifrin has perfected two special kugel recipes; one with noodles, the other with matza — a flour and water cracker eaten during Passover. Both recipes are slightly sweet, filled with soft cottage cheese and goldened to a crisp on top.

“There are many different ways to make a kugel. Some like them sweet, some like them savory; there’s really no one way to do it,” Shifrin said.

It was her former husband, the Islander said, who urged her to join the Goldbergs’ deli contest.

Shifrin, a natural in the kitchen who works as a psychotherapist in Seattle, has been baking and cooking for as long as she remembers. Preparing meals is far from a chore, she said; it’s a way to show that she cares.

“Cooking is one way that I nurture those I love,” she said, adding that she loves to cook for her son, Max, and his friends.

Although flattered by the fact that Goldbergs’ voted her kugel the best, “hands-down,” among more than a dozen submitted, Shifrin modestly insists that every kugel has its admirers.

“My kugel may not be for everyone. Somebody’s mamma could have made it different and that’s their favorite,” she said.

According to Matt Stahl, a co-owner of Goldbergs’ who put on the competition, Shifrin’s recipe struck a taste-bud of nostalgia for Eastside kugel lovers.

“Hers was a variation of the age-old, favorite Eastern European Jewish delight. Those looking for that traditional taste, well, she definitely met the profile,” Stahl said, adding that Shifrin clearly put heart into her recipe. “She was clearly the front runner. It wasn’t like she snuck by. She took the time and effort to put care into the competition and demonstrate her wonderful recipe.”

Stahl said that the deli will host more recipe competitions later this year. The first annual “Kugel Showdown,” he added, has started a new Goldberg tradition. He hopes more cooks will contribute their kugel specialties in next year’s contest.

Goldbergs’ Famous Delicatessen is located in the Factoria Mall.