The Annual Excitement of the Horticultural Society Spring Show

On April 8, 2014 by battenburgbelle
Chocolate cake

Chocolate cake with marzipan bees and confetti

After much planning, endless discussions and two days of non-stop baking, Jenny, Missy B and I took our efforts to the Muswell Hill and District Horticultural Society Spring Show on Saturday morning. Missy B got a first prize for her “Indulgence Brownies” (a layer of cookie dough, a layer of Oreos and a layer of chocolate brownies – what’s not to like), I got two firsts and a fistful of seconds and thirds and Jenny is now the proud holder of the cup this year with a selection of awards for her baked goods, pickles and preserves.

Victoria Sponge

Victoria Sponge

I came first with the chocolate cake and this Victoria sponge, which I was very happy about. The little bees are made of marzipan and the “confetti” was very thinly sliced beetroot and sweet potato, dusted in icing sugar and very slowly dried in a low oven. Also managed to slice off a bit of my finger with my fearsomely sharp mandolin. Must be more careful.

I came first with chocolate cake and Victoria sponge, which I was very happy about.

Missy B and I with our chocolate overload, surrounded by many beautiful flowers

A hot tip: on these occasions, the judges’ decision is final. So don’t try to make any sense of the outcome. I was penalised for putting fruit in my “plain” scones (another great Bertinet recipe).

Fruit scones

Fruit scones, should have been plain…

In fact, Jenny and I both discovered the necessity of reading the categories properly – she was punished for only providing five cheese scones, when six were required…

Jenny and her cup

Jenny and her cup

Looking forward to rising to the challenge again in July for the Summer Show.

One Response to “The Annual Excitement of the Horticultural Society Spring Show”

  • The chocolate cake was DIVINE – we scoffed the generous piece you gave us on Sunday – yum yum.

    I think we should begin memorising the categories for the Summer Show right now because of our scone word blindness…

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