Originally Posted by
SuzzyQ
Please don't muck about with your recipe. Just make it as usual. Present it as directed in fair booklet as per rules - if you have questions, there is usually a convenor to ask) I took my pies and cakes in a laundry basket. Just stacked baking trays on glassware or plastic supports to keep separate. If presenting ONE slice of pie or cake, take the WHOLE cake/pie, cut several slices, set aside the first slice (that's the one which falls apart or gets otherwise marked just being first) then you should be able to get a perfect slice to present as directed.
And have fun! Winning or losing isn't important. Fairs need the entries to make their displays.
I used to make enough entering the local fair to pay for my kids rides - between $60- $80. Great entertainment but a lot of work. I spent two days baking breads, buns, Chelsea buns, coffee cake, usually 4 pies … it was great fun.
Thanks so much for the slicing tip. It never occurred to me that the first slice might come out sloppy. The rules call for one 1/2 cake + one slice, so I can probably do the halving and slicing at home. I usually freeze the layers before I frost this cake, so I'm planning on doing that for the contest, as well. (It'll be thawed by the time it reaches the contest.) That should make for a neater slice and make it easier to frost. I have various sizes of cardboard, cake rounds. I'm thinking of putting the cake on the proper sized round and then "glue" that round to a larger round with some frosting before I put the 1/2 cake in a large, cardboard box. I have some very, windy roads to drive on to get to the fairgrounds, so I'm hoping that the larger round will keep the cake from sliding into the side of the box during transport.
I still haven't found out about the presentation. It doesn't say anything in the rules book. I need to call the fairgrounds. This is a tiny fair and they aren't in the office every day. If I can't get a hold of them, I'll just bring all of my presentation options with me...plates, paper plates, cake stand, etc. I'm also planning to bring extra frosting and second slices...just in case.
I've made two, practice cakes so far...and gained about 8 pounds by veering off my weight loss program...augh! I hope this is over soon, or I'm gonna weigh a couple of tons! Anyway, both cakes were good. One was slightly moister than the other and I'm not sure why. The fair is in 3 weeks...I'll let y'all know how I fare. Thanks for all of the tips and well wishes!!!
~C