A Blue Ribbon Beginning

The Citrus Festival was just the beginning....

*Monday, October 18, 2010*

I have always loved to eat, dine, travel and explore the differentiation of cultural cuisine and music.  It was in July of 2005, that I entered my first fair in over 25 years.  I had been itching to compete in a culinary event for a few years.  So, upon researching an upcoming family motor home trip, I decided to enter the “Best Lemon Dessert” competition for this annual event in Santa Paula, California.  I wasn’t sure if I would be able to attend the event, since we were trying to have a relaxing and fairly unscheduled vacation.  Therefore, I had decided that I would make these lemon popover muffins (the first time I had even tried creating them) and just put them immediately in the freezer for the possibility of entering them in 2 days time.

The weekend came and sure enough, we were able to make the distance with 5 minutes to spare, to enter the contest.  With my Mother, husband and two daughters and a dog in tow, I managed to hold up the competition with the urging of two of the hosts, to enter my item.  Of course, being a typically proud and competitor Mother herself, my Mom saved a seat for me.  Where do you ask?  Of course, up in front, right next to the 7 judges.  The judges ranged from restaurant and bakery owners to newspaper food critic writers.  Needless to say, I was mortified to be so visible, after holding up the competition (but the hosts encouraged it), but, the benefits far outweighed the costs.

It was because I was sitting so close to the judges, that I was able to hear those beautiful words....."outstanding lemon flavor," "fabulous texture and crumb," and "so moist and flavorful."  When the judging had concluded and all entrants and audience members were waiting for the results, I felt excited and unsure at the same time, that my name had still not been called up after third place, and second place.  This gave me hope that I could be first!  Within seconds, I heard my name and my "Zesty Lemon Popover Muffins" called out as this year's First Place winner of $100.00!  What a beginning!  It was the beginning of no turning back........

 

Ingredients that I used for my Blue Ribbon Zesty Lemon Muffins!  The finished product is shown on the upper right of this page.  Only the freshest ingredients and highest quality items will ever do!

All content, recipes and photos Copyright © 2010 by Heather Moloian and Heather Moloian-The Blue Ribbon Baker & Chef. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Heather Moloian and Heather Moloian-The Blue Ribbon Baker & Chef with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.