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Department O Friday Culinary
judging at the Logan County Fair
[August 11, 2026]
At the Logan County Fair Friday
morning, there was a lot of sweetness as the second portion of the
Department O Dairy and Culinary judging took place. The cake portion
of the judging is especially significant because the winners of the
individual cake categories are the first to participate in Sunday’s
Logan County Cake Classic. This bake-off competition produces
between six and eight incredibly delicious cakes that will then be
auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Department O Friday Culinary
judging at the Logan County Fair is run by superintendents Janet
Estill and Marcia Greenslate along with their committee of Ron
Estill and Linda McCuan.
Brenda Silano, who retired several
years ago after teaching at Lincoln Community High School for 24
years, returned as judge. In her culinary classes, her students
baked many cakes and would also make treats and snacks they would
sell to other students.
As Silano judged various items, she
made comments such as smooth top, flavor was excellent and don’t
want it to stick to your teeth.
The first class was peanut clusters. First place in this category
was Rose Harrold followed by Eva Sanders in second place, Linda L.
Aper in third place and Brooke Harnacke in fourth place.
In the peanut brittle category, Carlene Carter won first place
followed by Darlene Crider in second place.
Winner of the fudge without marshmallows category was Brooke
Harnacke with Bev Hinkle placing second, Kathleen Buse placing third
and Darlene Crider placing fourth.
The caramel category was small with just two participants. Patty
Huffer placed first followed by Rose Harrold in second.
Divinity was another small class with just one entry by Carlene
Carter.
Another category with one entry was caramel corn made by Brooke
Harnacke.
For fudge with marshmallows,
Kathleen Buse took first followed by Brooke Harnacke in second place
and Darlene Crider in third place.
The pretzel treats category was won by Patty Huffer followed by
Brooke Harnacke in second place, Peggy Sanders in third place and
Hannah Meece in fourth place.
The trail mix winners were Brooke
Harnacke in first, John P. Sandel in second, Hannah Meece in third
and Carlene Crider in fourth
The no bake cereal treat winner was Patty Huffer followed by Carlene
Carter in second place, Brooke Harnacke in third place and Bev
Hinkle in fourth place.
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Once the categories were
concluded, Silano chose the best of the best in the candy
category. There was a best of show in candy, best of show snack
foods and best of show cakes. Each best of show winner would
receive a purple rosette ribbon.
The final judging was for best of show overall, with the rosette
winners being put up against each other to choose the very best
of the day.
Best of show for both candy and
snack foods went to Patty Huffer.
With those categories concluded, it
was time to move on to cakes. There were fewer entries than previous
years. In fact, for German sweet chocolate and red velvet, there
were no entries.
The first category was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with
first place being awarded to Jeanne Runyon.
For yellow butter cake with chocolate frosting, Jamie Wibben placed
first.
White butter with white frosting had two entries. Rose Harrold took
first followed by Hannah Meece in second.
Baker’s choice winner was Peggy Sanders. Her cake had strawberry
filling and pink icing.
Placing first in the angel food cake category was Jeanne Runyon.
Jeanne Runyon also won first place for her chiffon cake. Silano said
chiffon cakes have an interesting history. It was first made in 1927
by a man named Harry Baker, who for many years kept the recipe
secret. The texture was similar to angel food, but different
ingredients were used. Later Baker sold the recipe to General Mills.
Some called it the first new cake in 100 years.
Best of show overall was Rose
Harrold.
All the cake category winners will be eligible to compete on Sunday
at the Cake Classic with the delicious cakes lovingly prepared for
the Logan County Fair Fundraiser Auction.
Harrold will be baking her white butter cake in the cake classic on
Sunday.
For baker’s choice, Peggy Sanders
will bake a chocolate gingerbread cake.
Jeanne Runyon will be baking one of the cakes for which she won
first place.
Department O Friday Culinary judging photo slideshow
[Angela Reiners]
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