Festival of Breads attracts 22 Marion County entries years ago
If the number of pre-entries registered for the 2004 Festival of Breads is any indication, there was a whole lot of baking going on this past weekend in Marion County.
Approximately 22 entries from the county were pre-registered for the annual contest, sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission. Pre-entries were due by Feb. 6. Then on March 1, the bread entries were taken to a collection point by 10 a.m.
"The entries came from Hillsboro, Peabody, Lehigh, and Marion," explained Deana Roth, a spokeswoman with the Kansas Wheat Commission.
Roth said she was pleased with the high number of entries pre-registered from Marion County. She noted Sedgwick County only had 10 pre-registered entries.
The entries were dropped off at Butler of Marion Monday morning, the collection point in Marion County. Bread judging began Tuesday in Manhattan. Winners were to be notified today (Wednesday).
There are four entry categories: youth, age 20 and younger; adult, age 21 to 64; seniors, age 65 and older; and professionals, for bakers, food service employees, cook book authors, and home economists.
Each entry is required to have a typed or printed recipe attached to the product and a short history of the recipe, including the source and any modifications that have been made.
Recipes must use yeast as a leavening agent and contain at least 75 percent wheat flour. No meat, cheese-filled breads, or quick breads can be entered.
Judging criteria includes taste and quality, appearance, originality, ease of preparation, and practicality.
The champion in each category receives $200, runner-up, $100; and $25 for honorable mentions. Farmer Direct Foods also will award an additional $25 to each winner using at least 50 percent white whole wheat flour in the recipe.
