Agricultural Show
As strange as it sounds, the lead up to the Agricultural Show (Thursday, 14th to Sunday, 17th September) is starting to become one of my favourite foodie times of the year! People who wouldn’t normally pick up a mixing bowl are trying out their cherry scone recipes or brewing their own damson wine! The enthusiasm is infectious, and a feeling of excitement is in the air.
The slight competitive edge of potentially winning a 1st, 2nd or 3rd rosette can be intoxicating – even as an uncompetitive person usually I have been finding myself practising my lemon curd at every chance! There is lots of natter about different ways of ensuring the lightest scones or getting the most juice out of those stubborn lemons, it really does bring everyone together.
This year, I will be entering lemon curd and lemon drizzle cake, crossing my fingers and hoping for the best! I have been practising in the bakery all this week (hoping for a lot of happy colleagues and family members on the receiving end), and if I say so myself they look pretty delectable!
Last year my cheese scones, although yummy (I thought) and a favourite of mine, didn’t win that all important rosette, hopefully I will have better luck this year! That is one of the things that I love about the Agricultural Show, half the fun is in making the goodies and talking to everyone about their entries, even if you aren’t a rosette worthy baker or crafter!
There are plenty of categories, from knitting to patchwork, and orange marmalade to corned beef pies, there really is something for everyone! Have a look at our events page here to peruse the different groups, surely something with catch your eye and entice you into the world of the Agricultural Show at Beamish! Incidentally, there are other parts of the show that aren’t food or craft related, such as a brilliant birds of prey show and brass bands playing throughout, if the pressure of the judging in the tents gets too much for you!
If you haven’t already, there is still plenty of time to enter, I have added the entry form here for you to use, no excuse now! Even if you a have a bit of a mishap, (which I am sure you won’t) there is even a “baking disaster” category. Some of the entries last year were brilliant!
If you do pop along, with or without a carefully held cake tin, you will have a great time!
