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 This year, the judge for both days of Culinary was
Pat McAllister of Bloomington. She told those watching the judging
that she had a connection to Superintendent Janet Estill's nephew is
married to McAllister’s daughter. McAllister said she only knew
Estill as “Aunt Janet.” So if she slipped and called Estill 'Aunt
Janet' during the judging that would be why.
McAllister is very careful to talk about the judging as being one
person’s perspective. She said that as she looked upon and tasted
the many items that would be put before her, viewers should bear in
mind that what they see visually might not agree with how she
judges. She said that “you don’t judge a book by its cover.” She
also noted that while she has favorite flavors and combinations of
flavor, she judges all equally, setting aside her personal
preferences.
The superintendents for this year at the culinary judging were
Marcia Greenslate and Estill.
Serving as helpers in recording the proper placement
of finishers was Ron Estill and Joyce Prather. Kate Stoltzenburg was
helping with placing judged items in the display cases.
McAllister started the judging with the finger items.
First was peanut clusters won by Jason Matthews.
Kelly Johnson won the second category – Marshmallow
fudge.
Caramels was won by Rose Harold.
Fudge without marshmallow crème was won by Karen Sandel.
Peggy Sanders won in the category of assorted candy
box.
Patty Huffer took the first prize ribbon in Pretzel Treats and was
on hand for a photo after the judging.
The Carmel Corn category was won by Darlene Crider.
Jackson Johnson won in the Trail Mix category.
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The final category of the candies was no-bake cereal treats, which
was won by Ryan Donoghue.
Then it was on to the cake judging. There were several entries this
year with multiple entries in each category. The only category with
no entries at all was the White Butter Cake.
In the German Sweet Chocolate Cake there were two entries with the
winner being named as Karen Sanders.
New up was the Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting. Shelly
Johnson took first place out of several entries.
Moving on to the Red Velvet with White Frosting, McAllister chose
between two entries, naming Daniel Crider as the first place
finisher.
This year, there was a new category for the Friday contest. The
Baker’s Choice category had the most entries with six. Each cake was
different and may well have been a favorite that the cook uses all
the time. McAllister said that all the cakes would probably be first
place cakes in the eyes of the baker’s family, and again said that
she doesn’t weigh her decisions based on personal favorites, but on
taste. She said this was a difficult category because the cakes were
all different flavors, but at the same time, all very good.
In the end, it was again Daniel Crider who walked away with the
first place cake.
There were some more hard decisions to make in the Angel Food Cake
category, but it was the one prepared by Rose Harold that took first
place.
In the Chiffon Cakes there were three, each flavored differently.
Again another hard decision for McAllister, but in the end it was
the cake backed by Jeanne Runyon containing finely chopped pecans
that took the first place ribbon.
When the category judging completed, McAllister moved on to the Best
of Show and after a few minutes of consideration declared Runyon’s
Chiffon to be the best of the best.
Runyon will bake a chiffon cake in the Cake Classic on Sunday.
Others lined up to bake on Sunday will be:
Karen Sandel – German Sweet Chocolate
Mary Johnson – Chocolate with Chocolate Frosting
Red Velvet – Hannah Crider
Baker’s Choice – Daniel Crider
Angel Food – Joyce Conrady
White Butter Cake – Dana Oltmans
A yellow cake will also be offered on Sunday, but the baker was not
yet determined at the end of the day on Friday.
Baking will begin at noon on Sunday in the Lincoln Stage barn at the
Logan County Fairgrounds. After all the cakes have been completed
and judged the Cake Classic Auction will take place. There is no
time listed for the auction, but it usually begins mid-afternoon.
[Nila Smith]
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