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sinkingfeeling

(52,962 posts)
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 09:10 AM Aug 12

Very disheartened about the Illinois State Fair's decision to change the awarding of culinary championships.

Both of my decorated cakes won blue ribbons (1st. place) in their respective classes. However, I was shocked to see there was no champion in the division when we went to the fair yesterday. The fair has decided to merge 'decorated cakes' with another division competing for championship.

I came home and dug out the premium book and saw that it was true and that I had overlooked the information when I sent in my entry fees. Others might have noticed, as there were only about 50% of the usual number of entries this year.

Based on this change, I may not be entering any cakes again. I view it as not exactly unfair, but not worthwhile. Decorating a dummy cake is rather expensive compared to baking a batch of cookies. The cake forms run $5 to $20 each. The fondant covering is around $25 and I have probably invested $200 in decorating tools.

Thanks for letting me rant.

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Very disheartened about the Illinois State Fair's decision to change the awarding of culinary championships. (Original Post) sinkingfeeling Aug 12 OP
Your cakes are wonderful WA-03 Democrat Aug 12 #1
Sorry they did that. It does sound unfair. They are gorgeous cakes. flying_wahini Aug 12 #2
That truly stinks. Any idea why this happened? efhmc Aug 12 #3
Do you eat them at some point? displacedvermoter Aug 12 #4
That stained glass cake is just WOW! CrispyQ Aug 12 #5
They are very different animals! Phentex Aug 13 #6
You won 2 Blue Ribbons in a state fair Marthe48 Aug 14 #7

WA-03 Democrat

(3,265 posts)
1. Your cakes are wonderful
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 09:14 AM
Aug 12

I enjoyed seeing pictures of them. I know it long and hard work but you have a gift and talent and am sure others get joy from seeing your creation as well. Rules change but your cakes will always be gorgeous!

CrispyQ

(38,138 posts)
5. That stained glass cake is just WOW!
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 09:28 AM
Aug 12


As for the competition, yeah, putting decorated cakes with plain baked goods doesn't seem fair at all. Even fancy baked goods aren't the same. Can you petition the fair, hopefully with other decorators? Maybe they'll see how it affected the number of competitors.

Marthe48

(18,868 posts)
7. You won 2 Blue Ribbons in a state fair
Wed Aug 14, 2024, 01:33 PM
Aug 14

That is a great accomplishment

I'd talk to the state fair board when you can and find out why they changed the divisions.

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