AFTER months of beating, baking and boiling, the best Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW bakers have been announced at the association’s annual general meeting held in Cowra last month.
Judges had a tough time choosing the winners of The Land Cookery Competition from a delicious collection of cakes, jams and relishes that had been created in kitchens across the state.
Denise Hawdon, “Wyhbury”, Gloucester, representing the Niangala branch, was thrilled to be named the winner of the light fruit cake section.
This is not the first taste of victory for Mrs Hawdon, who has been with the CWA since 2008 and has been on the state cookery committee for two years. She has previously won a first for her zebra cake, as well as one second and three thirds.
Win Low from the Bellawi branch was the winner of the sultana cake section, Amy Pieck from the Woy Woy branch was the winner of the marble cake section, and Manilla branch’s Rebecca Beattie was the awarded the best lemon sour cream cake.
Francene Halliger from the Quirindi branch claimed the crown for best pear and ginger cake, while Leona Irvine from the Bedgerabong branch was named the queen of macarons.
Karen McHale from the Gollan branch earned her stripes as the winner of the zebra cake section, while the competitive boiled fruit pudding section was claimed by Daphne Hamilton from the Marshall Mount branch. Daphne also won the microwave kiwi jam section.
Terrigal Evening branch’s Lyn Patterson claimed victory in the mint and apple jelly section, while Margaret Adams from the Forbes branch won the Moroccan tomato relish competition.
Jacquie Strudwick from the Kingscliff branch mastered the gluten free carrot cake section, while the Bathurst branch’s Jan Young claimed the Victoria sponge competition.
Junior bakers also impressed, with Neve Morris from the Jamberoo branch winning the junior crunchy topped lemon loaf title, while Kate Armstrong from the Oura branch won the junior speedway cake section. Both winners were presented with a hand beater.
There was plenty of competition in the decorated cakes section, with Riverina branch’s Ken Robinson showing off his prowess in the kitchen.
Ken claimed victory in the lace and greenery, winter wonderland, miniature cake for Mother’s Day and the open sugar art plaque – spring has sprung sections.
For the Noah’s ark decorated cake, Jaclyn Harvey from the Hunter River branch took the top honours.
The Deervale branch was awarded The Land Special Branch Award for 15 members and under.