The Great Cherry Cake Competition
There is no doubt that the class that attracts the most entries at Iverk Show is in the adult baking section. The ‘Great Cherry Cake Competition’ usually has around 100 entries. It may well be the largest of any competition in the country.
With a prize fund of €600 and a first prize of €200 plus the Iverk Produce Cup it may well be the largest of any competition of its type in the country.
There are prizes right down to 10th place and its popularity is hotly contested by both men and women
Chief steward Josephine Burke said ‘this year we are honoured to have TV3 Chefs, Baker’s and Food Writers, Catherine Layden and Edward Hayden judging our baking entries. Exhibitors are coming from as far away as Roscommon, Dublin, Cork and Kerry. We have regulars who enter every year and people who have never baked before and certainly have never entered a baking competition. It’s a fantastic spectacle and the crowds gather to watch the judging. I would not like to be a judge’ she said.
The first Great Cherry Cake Competition was held about 20 years ago and has gone from strength to strength. It is now unique to Iverk show and a major attraction.
Talking to one of last year’s judges she told me it was a very difficult job for two reasons. One was the huge number of entries and two was that the standard and quality of baking was so good. Two years ago a novice baker took the honours.
The judges look for a well baked cake with a very good general appearance. It must be well raised with good texture and an excellent distribution of cherries. Finally the judges will taste for flavour those that are in the final line up for prizes – oh to be a judge!
Competitors must stick strictly to the recipe as given in the Iverk Show prize list. This recipe can be downloaded from the website www.iverkshow.ie along with the recipes for the other baking competitions. It is crucial that you stick to the recipe as the judges will be paying particular attention to detail. Find the “Cherry Cake” details below.
Ingredients
12ozs/340 g flour, 8 ozs/225g margarine, 8 ozs / 225 g caster sugar, 6 ozs / 170 g cherries, 3 large eggs or four small, half a teaspoon of baking power
Method
Cut the cherries in four; cream margarine and sugar; add eggs and flour alternatively; add cherries; bake at 325 degrees F / 160 degrees C / Gas Mark 3 for 1.5 hours approximately in an 8” bake tin
As well as entering the Great Cherry Cake competition exhibitors will usually enter one of the other baking classes. There are 22 classes for adults and seven in the junior section for both primary and secondary pupils
With new sponsors such as Odlums, Goodall’s, Shamrock and Fruitfield this year the baking competitions promise to be one of the highlights of the show. The show takes place on Saturday the 22nd of August in Piltown, Co Kilkenny.
