Cake Judging Day Bush Tele Feature

If you thought MasterChef was tough, you haven’t seen the Perishable Cooking Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Yesterday, judges tested and tasted everything from classic sponge cakes to intricately designed cupcakes in front of a live audience, made up of very nervous bakers.

Janette, a veteran competitor in the Show’s Perishable Cooking Competition was up at the crack of dawn yesterday baking.

“Oh yes, I baked at 5.30am this morning. I entered a chocolate cake, peach blossom cake and cupcakes. I never win but it’s just good fun,” she said.

Entries were judged on everything from taste to colour in what was an extremely competitive day at the Arts and Craft Pavilion.

However, Janette believes this year’s competition was a lot tamer than last year’s. “This is nothing compared to last year; there was nearly a fist fight. We just come to sit up the back and have some fun, but others take it very seriously,” she said.

The seriousness of this competition is apparent with the judges being very particular in what they want.

Simone Dimcic, a judge for the adult categories, explained what she looks for in a good sponge cake.

“I’m looking at things such as the weight of the cake, a good sponge should be light and airy,” she said “I look at the evenness of the browning and check that the cake hasn’t been tipped upside down.”

Julia Tregoning, the competition’s Chief Steward, believes it’s this live judging that draws the crowds.

“We get a big audience. People love to come and watch - it’s quite an attraction. I think that’s why it’s so popular – the judges actually talk as they are judging the cakes,” she said.

Despite being a competition steeped in tradition dating back to as early as 1869, Julia tries to keep it up-to-date.

“We do try and vary it from year to year. This year there’s a new category – non-traditional cakes – where people have entered things from gluten-free cakes to macaroons,” she explained.

The winning cakes remain on display in the Arts and Craft Pavilion for the duration of the Show.