Topsfield Fair 2004
Baking Contests
Jannine's Entries and Results
So many people have asked me to take photos and email them with
results from the contests, so I thought this would be an easy way for all you
folks to view my entries and the results.
First, a little history ...
The Topsfield Fair is America's oldest
agricultural fair and was founded in 1818.
You can visit their web site at
I began entering the general baking contests in 1999, the same year
I won my first blue ribbon for my "Chocolate Chippers".
I'd like to take a moment to say a special thanks to
Louise Miller
Louise is a good friend of my sister Bridget, and she is the
person who informed me about the contests at the Fair
and encouraged me to enter.
Thanks, Louise!
As of last year, I had a total of 39 ribbons.
I enjoy the challenge of trying to come up with new recipes
and trying to perfect existing ones. I've had a lot of fun and met
some great people along the way.
If you have any trouble viewing this site
or if you have comments or questions,
please click below to email me :
Thanks, and enjoy!
Guide to Ribbon Colors:
Blue Ribbon - First Place
Red Ribbon - Second Place
White Ribbon - Third Place
Pink Ribbon - Honorable Mention
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Category: Rolled Cookies
"Toasted Pecan Shortbread Cookies"
White Ribbon
Category: Muffins
"Pumpkin-Streusel Muffins"
Blue Ribbon
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Category: Calzone
"Laney Kazany's Cold Cut Calzone"
Blue Ribbon
(Special thanks to Elaine Ristaino for the name and the technique, and
to my mother, Margaret Burpee for teaching me to make her delicious dough!)
Category: Bar Cookies
"Wonder Bars"
Red Ribbon
(Special thanks to Len Abbene for the name!)
Category: Cheesecake
"Oreo Cheesecake"
Blue Ribbon
Category: One-Crust Pie
"Coconut Cream Pie"
Blue Ribbon
Special Competitions
There were three special competitions that I
entered this year. These contests are held in the evening
and usually draw a large crowd, due to the sponsorship
from national companies and the larger prizes awarded.
Special competition
Number one:
The 2004
Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust
Championship
Tuesday, October 5, 2004
This contest was sponsored by Pillsbury/General Mills
and required each contestant to make a fruit-filled pie using
two Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts.
Pies were judged using the following scoring method:
Taste: 30%
Appearance: 25%
Creativity: 25%
Ease of Preparation: 10%
General Appeal: 10%
There were 19 pies entered in the competition
My entry: "Celebration Cherry Pie"
~~*Blue Ribbon*~~
(special thanks to my sister, Bridget Collins for inspiring me
to make this pie, and encouraging me to enter it in the competition)
I was very surprised (and very pleased) to win first prize!
I received a cash prize of $200.00, a Pillsbury apron,
a special blue ribbon and an engraved silver cake server.
Also ... I am now automatically entered in the National competition.
Pillsbury will take the recipes from all of the first place winners of this
contest at the various state fairs across the country and select one grand prize winner.
Grand Prize is $1,000.00 !
(The winner will be notified by Pillsbury in January. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!)
Special Competition
Number two:
Libby's Favorite Pumpkin
Dessert Contest
Thursday, October 7, 2004
This contest was sponsored by Libby's Pumpkin
and required each contestant to make their favorite
pumpkin dessert using at least 1 cup of Libby's Pumpkin.
Desserts were judged using the following scoring method:
Flavor: 50 points
Originality: 30 points
Appearance: 20 points
There were 21 desserts entered in the competition
My entry:
"J's Special Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting"
Unfortunately, this cake did not win any ribbons in the contest.
The judges' comment sheets said that the appearance and
originality received high marks, however the points awarded for
flavor were reduced because they felt the spices in the cake
were overpowering.
Oh well! Can't win 'em all!
Special Competition
Number three:
Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest
Friday, October 8, 2004
This contest is an annual event at the Fair
and is sponsored by Cider Hill Farms.
Judging was based on crust texture, flavor,
overall appearance and originality
There were 21 pies entered in the competition
My entry:
"Jannine's Apple Pie"
Unfortunately, my pie did not win any ribbons in this contest.
The judges' comment sheets said my pie had excellent
appearance and flavor, but they felt the crust was overworked.
Oh well, there's always next year!
Back to the regular competitions ...
Saturday, October 9, 2004
Category: Drop Cookies
"J's Choco-Toffee Cookies"
White Ribbon
Category: Unfrosted Cake
"Spiced Yogurt Pound Cake"
Blue Ribbon
Well, folks ... those are all my entries!
I had a lot of fun this year and I am hoping to enter again next year.
Thanks to everyone for the encouragement, support and praise.
Also, a special note of thanks to all my testers.
I couldn't have done it without you!
Hope to see you next year at the Fair!
Before you go ...
Please take a moment to sign and/or view my guest book!
If you would like any of the recipes for the items
on this page, please click on the pie image below
If you would like to see last year's entries,
please click on the image below
Special thanks to "Original Country Clipart" by Lisa
for providing the free graphics :)