On Saturday, October 8th, curious spectators gathered at the fairground’s pavilion to see the five finalists with their mouthwatering cakes face off in the annual “Apple Recipe” contest. The scrumptious deserts were displayed atop a table on the stage before two judges who, admittedly, had a difficult time choosing a winner because all the cakes were delicious.
The judges, Debbie Wilburn and Al Parker, chose Susan Riblet’s “Apple Filling Cake with Caramel Icing” for first place. Riblet’s daughter accepted the award in her place. The red ribbon went to Katherine Mendez for her “Georgia Apple Cake.” Riblet is from Ellijay and Mendez calls Cumming home. Cakes were judged on taste, cut and consistency of apples. This year’s recipe contest was for apple cakes; next year it will be for apple pies.

Debbie Wilburn is a retired Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with the UGA County Cooperative Extension in Hall County. Al Parker is the Northeast District 4-H Program Development Coordinator with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

Sponsors of the contest were the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Apples and the Gilmer County Apple Festival.