Not entering the State Fair anymore. Period.
I got the comment cards back today along with the ribbons.
The state fair does NOT open jars and taste or test foods entered in the canning category, UNLESS they look like they are not what they say they are or are packed in oil or alcohol instead of what they should be packed in. It says so right in the rule book, they don't open or taste.
So basically they are judge on how pretty they are, which is nuts, but whatever.
So I never know how things are going to work out and I work extra hard to make things presentable.
My pickle slices were wavy cut, and had staged spices and bay leaf front and center lined up with the Golden Harvest logo and the lid lined up with that. It looked like a magazine prop.
I couldn't figure out how I came in 4th when 1st place was a quart jar of spears with no spices in it, and almost 3 inches of nothing in the bottom of the jar and spears floating at the top.
2nd and 3rd were so loosely packed they were only half full.
The comment on my card for 4th place, some bits of the pickle slices sticking up above the liquid.
UM, I handed over my entry in perfect condition, it was driven by fair employees 200 miles, handed over to other people to store at the fair, and then handled by others for display. I have NO control over that, and it doesn't matter anyway. Pickles should be TIGHTLY packed.
Then I look at my other entry cards.
2nd for Tomato PUREE. "Tastes wonderful, should think about simmering longer to thicken."
UM JAR was still vacuumed sealed when I saw it after judging at the fair. NO WAY it was opened. Concave lids are OBVIOUS. and it's puree not paste. I had simmered it from 6qts down to 3.
#1 entry, the jelly, comment "amazing color and marvelous taste" again, after judging, i saw my jars, NOT OPENED!!!!
What the flying frick???
IF I do the fair next year, I'm on the judging panel!