2010 Fair Results

I just returned from our local fair office. This year I entered a few items to be judged at the county fair, and I needed to pick up the prizes (aka money) that I won. The day I was supposed to submit my entries was extremely hectic, and I wasn't able to do the things I would've liked to have done. Next year I'll hopefully have a little more time to enter a layer cake along with some other creative items.

Two of my entries were just grabbed from the pantry, as a little experiment, to see what might happen. The plum jelly is really tasty, kind of tart and tangy, but I use Pomona's Pectin and much less sugar than most people. This results in a more opaque jelly than the typical super sweet clear gel that is so common. I also entered a jar of pickled dill carrots that weren't particularly artistic in appearance but tasted really good, in our opinions. Both took second place in their categories, which was decent. Honestly, I was surprised the jelly placed that high since it was such a different product than the "usual."

Before I continue, I should give a little insight on the judges for these types of events. They're usually older women, maybe two per category, and either have a history with the 4-H program or in teaching Home Economics (which I wanted to, but never was able to take in school). They typically like things sweet or salty, and favor the richness of butter, light crumb of refined flours, and "classic" flavors. At least, that's been my experience thus far. So when I enter items that use less sugar or whole grains I try to be skeptical about what could, or might not, happen.

I also entered some whole wheat focaccia. There was a contest sponsored by Bob's Red Mill for a delicious, original yeast bread recipe, and I correctly thought that nobody else would enter focaccia, let alone with a garlic scape pesto topping. Well, when I looked at my entry at the fair, there was the teeniest sliver removed and a third place sticker was affixed to the tag. OK, so I figured the originality part did well, and maybe the judges weren't so fond of the strong garlic flavor (if they even knew what garlic scapes are!). There was another loaf of bread nearby that also has a third place sticker on it, and I thought we'd tied.

It took me a while to locate the second focaccia, and I was pleasantly surprised when I did. It was in the center case, a big sample chunk removed, and was marked with a first place sticker and a Best of Show ribbon! The ladies must have really liked the roasted sweet onion and rosemary topping. But that prize is much less than the Bob's contest, so I was a little disappointed just the same. Maybe I should have switched the entries...?

Anyway, I went down to the office this morning to pick up the prize money and the leftover goods. I received a check for the fair entries and submitted the form that has to be sent north to Bob's Red Mill so they can send me my prize directly. Only, that form said I got second place in that contest! I asked, and apparently the sticker on the focaccia had been misplaced. I am entitled to the second place prize, which is a $25 check and two free 5 lb bags of flour! Maybe the judges liked the garlic after all...?

Next year I plan on entering something different, more along the lines of buttery-sweet, for the Bob's contest, and I also hope to have a little more time to plan on making some other items that require a little more effort than just a pantry raid. Still, it's always fun to see how others like (or dislike) what I'm doing in the kitchen, and makes for somewhat profitable entertainment.