mmm-yoso!!! is a blog with writings about food. Kirk and ed(from Yuma) contribute about interesting American and ethnic foods, restaurants, events and recipes. Cathy is contributing yet another summary of the All-American San Diego County Fair.
Well, it's open. The 2011 version of the fifth largest County Fair in the Nation. Right here, in the City of Del Mar, along the coastline of this large county.
There are the rides and carnival games in the Fun Zone.
Along with interesting characters to amuse Fairgoers.
Along with typical Fair foods…
As well as the more unusual Fair foods…
There are flower contests
Woodworking competition displays, with Drafting competition entrants on the wall behind…
Livestock displays and contests… and so much more!
As I mentioned in my first post, daily contest entries get you a free entrance to the Fair.
The Home and Hobby Stage is where a lot of the contests are held. On Saturday, the One Day Contest was
The Great American SPAM® Championship. This was a Nationally sponsored contest, with the winner being sent on to compete in the National SPAM® Championship, as well as winning $150 from Hormel and a SPAM® apron. The theme of this year's contest was "Break the monotony" and there was only one category- breakfast.
There were 30 entries. All beautifully and creatively presented (25 % of the scoring was for the appearance, theme and title of the entry).
There were three judges who tasted and scored each of the delicious and mostly original concoctions. 45% of the score was for the taste and 30% of the scoring was for the ease of preparation. Each entry included the recipe and the judges were reading as well as tasting. There were some 'runners' who were reheating some of the entered goodies.
After two hours of judging and the three judges going outside to the Grandstand another 30 minutes or so to discuss their findings, this beautiful display and recipe came in third. It appears to possibly have a spicy and/or Mexican influence; I think the Spicy flavor of SPAM™ was used. (There are several SPAM™ flavors: lite, low sodium, turkey, spicy and, yes, bacon).
This seashell based creative display held that croissant, which was filled with a shredded SPAM® mixture and included the very original tasty recipe printed with the photograph of an Island sunset.
The three dishes and SPAM® race car on that checkerboard lined tray on the left, in the back row, was the first place winner! In addition to the decorating being part of the "Race to the Fair" theme, the "Spamabello" recipe included not many ingredients, had an easy preparation and was very, very, very good according to the judges. The custard-like savory filling included SPAM® and was baked inside portobello mushroom caps. The judges thought it will be an excellent contender for winning the national contest.
The best part of this contest, though, was that we all found out upon the announcement of the winner (Michelle), that winning this contest was part of her "Bucket List"…things she wanted to accomplish before she died. A happy bonus to this long day of Fair activities.
There are daily contests to participate while at the Fair and one day contests like the SPAM contest, which get you in the gate for free and give you a chance to participate (and maybe you can check off something from your own 'bucket list') at an American Tradition-the County Fair.
Oh, I ate a lot at the Fair…you can too. Everything was good, even the simple things…
I'll post about my adventures soon. In the meantime, read about this great American tradition and find a way to get here! The Fair is open until July 4th.
