Cakes were judged before a live audience and then auctioned by Mike
Maske from the Lincoln Stage beginning about 5 p.m. on Sunday. From left to right: Cake Classic superintendent, Janet Dahmm; judge Cindy Friedrich, and assistants Deb Rohrer and Megan Opperman.

Winning cakes taste of sweet success for 4-H

[August 06, 2014]  LINCOLN - On Sunday afternoon, cakes baking raising in the ovens at the Logan County Fair also meant raising funds for the 4-H programs.

This year's cakes all rose to this year's special occasion, the 50th Anniversary of the Logan County Cake Classic.

At the late Sunday afternoon event, the top eight cakes auctioned by Mike Maske garnered nearly $4,000. The entire amount goes directly to the Logan County 4-H and the funds are used to support programming throughout the year.

Cake Classic superintendent, Janet Dahmm, said that the auction did not start out giving the funds to 4-H, but that is what it has been for some years, and she is glad. She comes from a Logan County farm family and has had children compete at the fair.

After judging, each cake was brought up for auction beginning with the first place winner, Jacob Runyon with his chocolate frosted chocolate cake.

Every cake baker was asked to say a few words about their cake and then to hold their cake up for all to see during the bidding process. After auctioning, each baker and the buyer posed for a photo with Miss Logan County Fair Alyssa Morris and Little Miss Chloe Bottom.

Many of the winning bidders return year after year. 'Taking the cake' literally for decades, Culler's French Fries has been the top bidder for the first prize cake. This year Culler's made a record bid in the amount of $1,100.

Sivori Catering has been following suit securing the high bid on the second place cake for several years now, and did so again this year paying $500 for a white butter by Kelsi Ubbenga.

Total results for the 2014 50th Anniversary Cake Classic as decided by guest judge Cindy Friedrich with the auction service provided by Mike Maske.

1st Place: Jacob Runyon - Chocolate Cake
Jacob said, "It's the coffee in it that makes it taste so wonderful."

The top bidder at $1,100 was Culler's French Fries. Cullers is always a top supporter in the cake classic and of the fair.

2nd Place – White Butter – Kelsi Ubbenga
Kelsi was the 2011 Logan County Fair Queen
Kelsi said she used an almond flavoring that she liked in the cake.
Sivori Catering bid $500.

3rd Place - German Chocolate - Ed Carter
Ed represents the last of a large family to enter the baking contest. He said that this was only the second cake that had ever made. He credited his wife, an excellent baker, with teaching him.
Harold Goodman bid $425.

4th Place - Angel Food - David Carter
This was David's first ever cake he made.
Larry Stanfield and Darrell Eberstein won the bid at $400.

5th Place - Chocolate - Daniel Crider
Won by Darwin Runyon at a bid of $250.

6th Place - Maple Chiffon - Jeanne Runyon
Joe Runyon took the cake at a bid of $325; and was asked to stay on stage to save him a trip for the next bidding.

7th Place - Red Velvet - Cameron Runyon
Joe Runyon again won the bid at $500. Joe left the hall with two great cakes in boxes, but when seen leaving the fair a short time later his hands were already empty.

8th Place - Pumpkin Spice - Annie Dunbar
Garrett Insurance represented by Nancy Schaub bid $475.

Most years there are one of two contestant's that say it is their first or second time to ever bake a cake.

When 2011 Miss Logan County Fair Queen Kelsi Ubbenga entered the Cake Classic in 2012, she said that it was her first time to bake a cake, which was a spice that took 2nd place. Kelsi said that she might come back and do it again; and she has, each and every year so far. In 2013 and 2014 she broadened her skill level with a white butter cake that took 5th place last year and she brought it up to 2nd this year.
 

For some of the contestants the bake-off is an opportunity to compete and maybe claim a title. For others it is something fun to do as a family. For most of the contestants it is a great way to support the Logan County Fair and 4-H.

Mike Maske donates his services for the auction.
It wasn't cake that he and Culler's, Sivori, Goodman's, Stanfield and Eberstein, Darwin and Joe Runyon, Garrett's and other bidders value. This year's sum total of $3,975 for eight cakes shows proud sponsorship and support of the Logan County Fair and 4-H.

That is what the Logan County Cake Classic is all about.

[By JAN YOUNGQUIST]