My cakes usually look like this - tasty, but not exactly pretty...
Anyway, while we promoting the CCC on twitter (@staffscakeclub) Charlotte & I got asked to do some cake judging by the fine folks that run Great British Food Festival as it arrive in Stafford. Never one to turn down free cake made by other people we said yes...
So, dressed in our finest cake judging garb (we decided floral dresses and cardigans were the order of the day) and over two days tasted slice from 10 different vanilla sponges and 12 chocolate cakes of varying styles.
What was really interesting was how easy it was to judge the cakes - well actually to pick a winner. In both categories there was one cake that we'd have gone back to for another slice, even after trying 11 other slices, in a hot tent, having run for 2 miles to get there on time. What was quite sweet was the winner of the chocolate cake round (an unassuming 7th one from the bottom) which I think is from this recipe - was totally bowled over by winning and asked us if we'd got our numbers right.. (The judges decision only made up 50%, the other 50% was from a public vote)
We had a lovely time judging, and it was lovely to be able to get out there and talk about the CCC, and we had a lovely time eating so many lovely cakes. Thanks to the peeps as GBFF for inviting us...