We are again featuring an amazing Celtic delicacy this year with our third annual Shortbread Baking Contest.
Each contestant will submit their entry in each category selected. All participants should prepare enough of each entry product to allow for judging and tasting by the public. Each entry will be judged by our esteemed panel of judges and prizes will be awarded in each category. A People's Choice award will also be judged by the public and a prize awarded. The categories of entry are as follows:
  • Traditional - This is the category for the classic simple buttery cookie.  No additions of chocolate, nuts, glazes, toppings or alternate flavors will be accepted in this group. 
  • Gourmet - These cookies need to begin with a classic shortbread base, but topping and add-ins are allowed.
  • Youth - Youth contestants age 16 and under may enter either category, but they will not be judged against the adults. 

Contest Rules:
  1. Contestants may not use pre-made, store bought dough.
  2. Shortbread can be cut into serving bites or pre-shaped before baking.
  3. Each entry must provide a minimum of six pieces of shortbread for judging. Please keep in mind the public will have opportunity to participate in judging entries as well. If you hope to be a contender for the People's Choice Award, make sure to provide enough product for the public to sample as well.
  4. Contestants may submit as many separate entries as desired.
  5. An entry form must be completed for each separate entry. This does not apply to the People's Choice award entries.
  6. Entries must be delivered to the Festival Headquarters tent on Saturday 3-21-20 no later than 10:00 AM. No late entries will be accepted.
  7. Judging will be conducted on a "blind taste" basis. Entries should not include any documentation, aside from the initial entry form, which would indicate the identity of the contestant. The judges verdict will be final.
  8. There is no entry fee associated with this contest. All competitors must purchase a festival admission ticket.
  9. Judging will begin promptly at 11:00 AM.
  10. Shortbread will be judged on taste, texture, and appearance.
  11. Prizes will be awarded at 12:30 PM.
  12. Deadline to enter is midnight on Monday, March 16th, 2020.

    Shortbread Contest Registration

    There is no fee to enter the Shortbread competition, however a
    festival entry ticket must be purchased.
    Please prepare enough of your entry product to allow
    ​for festival attendees to try and enjoy.
    A separate "People's Choice" prize will be awarded.
    ​Youth competitors may prepare either a traditional or gourmet class entry.
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    Have you ever had Shepherd's PIe?  What's in a Shepherd's Pie?
     In the States, we tend to think about shepherd’s pie (or, rather, cottage pie) around St. Patrick’s Day. So, if you ask nearly anyone what country shepherd’s pie comes from, you’re bound to get the answer, “Ireland.” However, cottage pie probably originated in Scotland, in the North of the UK. Meat pies were common in this region, and were topped with pastry crust before the 1700s when potatoes were introduced as a crop. Once the potato crust came into play, cottage pie as we know it today came into being. As cottage pie became popular throughout Britain and potatoes became a staple crop in Ireland, the dish began to be more associated with Ireland, and similar pies with a pastry crust began to re-emerge in Scottish cuisine.

    Read more at Curious Cuisiniere: Cottage Pie https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/cottage-pie/