Fellow cupcake judge Greg Gattine, Morning Show Host from 100.1 WDST Radio Woodstock going into cupcake overload!
Janice Hardgrove Kollar of Peace, Love & Cupcakes
Tantillo's Farm booth
Crazy chocolate cupcakes with potato chips
KoKoPelli Cookie company's booth
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I had the good fortune of being invited to be a judge for the amateur cupcake contest at the Gardiner Cupcake Festival on Saturday, May 19th at Wrights Farm. I was informed that I would be tasting 29 cupcakes! I skipped lunch on Sunday and arrived around 1pm to start tasting the cupcakes. The other 3 judges and I tasted all the cupcakes in the vegan, gluten-free, best beer/cocktail inspired cupcake and best-tasting categories. The time went by so fast, and I got so caught up in the gluttony of it all that I didn't take as many photos of the judging as I had planned.
While the four of us were busy tasting and rating the cupcakes, we fielded many questions from curious onlookers. Most people wanted to know if they could purchase the beautiful cupcakes on display that were being judged, and were upset when the answer was "No, they are for judging only." One man assumed we were just being greedy because when we told him he couldn't have one, he threatened to talk to one of the festival organizers. One buff female onlooker realized what the judges were up to--that is we were tasting a mountain of cupcakes--and said, "That's sickening!"
When my judging job was finished, I walked around and bought cupcakes for the family at the Wrights Farm booth, where I finally met organizer and owner Tammy Boylan, and took a few more photos. I met Janice Hardgrove Kollar, at the Peace, Love & Cupcakes booth. She is opening a cupcake bakery in Woodstock within the next 2 weeks at 54 Tinker Street. Just what I need, a cupcake bakery on my biking route! Honestly, I am looking forward to eating cupcakes in Woodstock! It was a hot afternoon, and I was starting to feel the sugar shock so I decided to head home. (On a side note, I tried out a modified version of Kris Carr's 21 Day Adventure Cleanse the week before. Will give you my full review of Crazy Sexy Diet book soon).
It was a fun afternoon at Wrights Farm, and this year it was great to see many more cupcakes for sale, more cupcake lovers, and a general feel good feeling in the hot air this year. I am already looking forward to next year's Gardiner Cupcake Festival, and I ain't too proud to beg to be a judge again!
