THERE’S haggis of course – but we’d all prefer shortbread!
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Friday May 30 the Wingham CWA’s annual shortbread baking competition will be held. Part of the Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival, the competition attracts entrants of a high (and possibly not so high) calibre all vying for a coveted ribbon.
“It was a hard competition to judge,” said RAS judge Jac Hyde last year.
With 26 entries in 2013 including a father and son and school children from a number of local schools, competition was tough. This year the ladies are hoping for even more entries over three sections catering for men, women and school students allowing for a variety of shortbread to be made.
According to the CWA shortbread should be light brown and is judged on evenness of baking, texture, flavour and appearance. Eating quality is of course of the utmost importance. And did you know rice flour gives a finer texture than ground rice which is slightly gritty?
The competition will be judged by RAS judge Jac Hyde of Wingham CWA. Jac insists on a closed room while judging takes place to ensure the competition remains fair. “I judge baking and flavour and it is important to know what the bottoms look like,” she said.
Jac will not know the names of any of the entrants, nor what they look like while she judges alone.
Once she has chosen her winners the CWA doors are swung open and the community will be warmly welcomed to come and buy the shortbread.
We asked Jac if she really does taste all the entries. “Luckily it’s not jam, I don’t really like jam,” laughs Jac who does indeed taste test all the shortbread.
Entries are accepted on Friday May 30 at the CWA rooms, Isabella Street, Wingham between 9am and 11.30am or phone Marcia in advance on 6553 5723 for special arrangements and enquiries. Entry forms are available from the Wingham Chronicle office, museum and Bent on Food.
Once the judging is complete the shortbread will be available for sale.
The Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival will be held from May 29 - June 1. The main games day and parade are on Saturday May 31 in Central Park, Wingham.