Chicken bald back

[Lesley]

I entered classes in the local beekeepers Honey Show last night.

 

We only had a small amount of honey left from the little we took from last year's bees but I just managed to fill the required 2 x 1lb jars. I knew it wasn't a good sample and knew what faults it had but entering them was a good way of finding out what the judges look for. It had started to naturally crystallise so it was slightly hazy - not good in a Clear Honey class The classes required 2 of clear or 2 of set - I could have done one of each I had to gently heat the crystallised one and then filter it through a very fine cloth.......that takes 2 days.....for 1lb

 

The judging was public - very nerve wracking but also very enlightening. The judge was available to answer questions as well. He showed us how they checked the jars of honey, why some are rejected immediately, discussed aroma and viscosity, lit the candles, tasted all the cakes, judged the photos and items of interest and then last of all..........tested the Mead

 

I entered six classes - and had a place in all six

 

Six fancy cakes using honey - First

Two jars of clear honey (novice) - Third

Honey cake to supplied recipe - Third

Honey cake to any recipe - Third

Item of general beekeeping interest - Third

Three photos of beekeeping interest - Third

 

I'm really going to have to try harder next year....................

 

Those of you who know me, know that orange is just not my colour ( )

[AnnieP]

Lesley, I will expect to see tehm up in your kitchen!

Congratulations! I think you have made a great start!

[jackiepoppies]

 

Well done Lesley,

 

That's an exceelent achievement, far more than I could do

 

Feel very proud of yourself, how you all manage to do so much I'll never know

 

Jackiex

[Egluntyne]

Well done.

[Christian]

6 prizes for your first attempt is fantastic! Well done. Shame I didn't come over after you made those little cakes

[Lesley]

Shame I didn't come over after you made those little cakes

 

I had some of the practise ones in a container - I forgot they were there I've just sent food parcels to my grown up children. They were White Chocolate and ginger Honeybuns - the other cake with the cream cheese topping was a Honey and Orange Carrot Cake. The third cake - to the Association recipe is like a brick Everyone complains about the recipe but it never changes. As it has sultanas in it I haven't tried it..... but Carl seems to like it (probably not the best person to have taste tested your Christmas Cake Christian? )

 

The cakes weren't as 'well done' as they look -that's just my photos........or it could be because I have the brightness changed to dark on my PC - anyway....they weren't burnt

 

Annie - if you ever see those on my wall..... - perhaps the outside toilet

[Mrs Frugal]

Congratulations Lesley! Well done.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Congratulations .

 

How does one become a honey judge, I wonder .

[Nicola H]

Well done Lesley that is a fantastic achievement for a first attempt............You are right you will have to try harder next year the first prize certificate is a much nicer colour..................

[Guest]

Congratulations .

 

How does one become a honey judge, I wonder .

 

you took the words right out of my mouth!

 

well done lesley

[missuscluck]

Well done Lesley. Good work!

[..lay a little egg for me]

Well done! Those fancy cakes look nice...could you post the recipe please?

[Cate in NZ]

Oh, well done Lesley, what an achievement

Those little cakes sound delish

[Lesley]

Thank you! - it was great fun

 

I will post the recipe for the cakes - they are White Chocolate and Ginger Honeybuns!

[Cate in NZ]

Thank you! - it was great fun

 

I will post the recipe for the cakes - they are White Chocolate and Ginger Honeybuns!

 

Oh, yes please. I love ginger cakes of any description, but the combination of white chocolate & ginger sounds irresistable