Baking Contests: 5 Crucial Tips on How to Win
Have you tried your hand at baking contests but haven’t come close to winning it? Well, that’s all about to change with this article.
Even though it’s supposed to be about fun, contests are kind of like exams that require intense research, preparation and strict adherence to rules. Failing to do so could have you disqualified.
Here’s a little extra tidbit before we share the tips to help you succeed in your baking competition;
Bonus Tip:
It’s not always about winning. What matters more is the experience and the exposure you gain by partaking in such events. But if you still wanted to win something for your participation, then you’ll be happy to know that most restaurants and shops offer gifts and giveaways to anyone who participates in their surveys. Some of the finest online survey sites and apps that do so include:
● SurveyPlanet
● SurveyMonkey
● LimeSurvey
● QuickTapSurvey
Here are some of the best ways to boost your chances of winning a baking contest:
1. Do Some Research
It’s always a good idea to prepare yourself for a situation before you dive right into it. One of the best ways you can prepare yourself for a baking
contest is to inspect your country or state fair a year before you plan on entering and study the food items that are on display.
Sometimes there exists a “hidden gem,” for a dish that doesn’t have that many entries but would also make a good entry point for you.
You should study from a handful of cookbooks especially those dedicated to blue-ribbon winners since it showcases a vast set of winning recipes from all over the country. Although not all recipes have the same kind of interest or backing, you need to study them for any ideas and commonalities that you can use for your entry.
2. Study the Rules Early On
Most cooking contests require their contestants to register several weeks or even months before it starts. Fortunately, entering doesn’t send to be much of a problem ever since the internet came along.
Every contest comes with its own set of detailed entry instructions, which is usually posted online.
Remember, it’s crucial to follow the rules to the letter, or you may lose points for it, or worse, get disqualified.
For example, some rules specifically state an item must not be presented on a white paper plate. Fortunately, the judges will be more concerned about the taste and appearance of the item rather than the plate itself.
Still, some of the other most important rules have to do with presentation, preparation methods and at times, time itself.
3. Make Sure it Looks Good
Making a dish look good is pretty fundamental, but creativity and presentation bear just as much importance. Even if the rules say to
judge on taste only, a judge always looks at a dessert first before tasting it and could change the entire perception of it at even the slightest hint.
4. Carefully Choose The Categories Available
A handful of baked-goods category options are available for you to ponder on, from classics such as chocolate chip cookies to modern innovations like gluten-free baking.
More importantly, you must ensure that the recipe is simple as it makes the end product more perfect.
5. Experiment as Much as You Like
This is one of the most important aspects to consider when preparing a baked-goods recipe for a contest. Experimenting with your recipe is the same as practicing until there is nothing more to improve upon.
But to gauge whether your recipe is an audience-favorite, you need to get people to sample your work. Everyone’s palate is different, so the more people try it out, the more you’ll know where you stand with it and know for sure if there are any further improvements to make.
** This is a collaborative post **
