Mary Ann Mullen
It was a daunting task; 10 6-foot-long tables laid out in front of the judges at the 2023 San Mateo County Fair, covered with plates of baked goods in dozens of categories. (If you listened carefully you could just hear the cakes and cookies dreaming about being named “Best in
Show.” “Pick ME! NO — PICK ME!”
Without further ado the judges, in pairs, clipboards in hand, began to dig in.
My teammate and I were assigned to cookies. There were legions of them: dropped, fancy, bars, chocolate chip. Endless varieties. My colleague is a registered nutritionist, I am a graduate of culinary school. Right away we realized we were well matched, because we agreed on a precise plan of attack: first, a careful look (on both top and bottom), then check for visual consistency (high points there), and an appetizing appearance.
Then came the tasting; we’d cut or break them in half, then take judicious bites (there would be a LOT of sugar ahead). So many styles, types and flavors to try.
We’d agreed beforehand to provide written feedback to each entrant (start with positive comments and, when necessary, offer constructive criticism). They deserved that much for their effort to register, bake and then deliver their wares to the culinary department in the days before the fair opened.
About halfway through our assigned tables, (wondering if a diabetic coma was on the horizon — OK, just kidding) we came upon THE COOKIE.
First thing we noticed was the careful and thorough packaging of the entry: One of us began to say “wow, she really took care in packing these” and the other said “this was NOT her first rodeo!”)
Then we saw the cookies: consistent size and shape, and when turned over — perfectly baked. Going by description, as modest as can be. But then we took a bite. Then we took another bite. By the third bite (unusual with so many cookies) we looked at each other, eyes wide open. All observations were positive, and the overall impression was: This cookie could win it all. And it was a humble oatmeal cookie. How could an oatmeal cookie be this good?
Hearing our enthusiasm, other judges came over. With each bite, faces lit up. Every single judge (all eight of us) thought the texture was perfect and “the chew” was unrivaled. Best of the day.
This oatmeal cookie also featured two different types of raisins, the gold ones lifted the flavor so the overall taste wasn’t too sweet. And there were chocolate chips — but not too many.
This cookie blew all the judges’ minds. NO ONE didn’t love it. The name of the entry was “Oatmeal Nutty Fruity Chocolate Chip.” We recommended it for special recognition, and while we don’t know who finally won best in show, this cookie stole all our hearts.
The proof was: We had to struggle to ensure we had ONE cookie left for exhibition in the glassed in cases — otherwise every single crumb would have been eaten.
The moral of this story is — don’t sell the modest, unassuming ones short.
You never know. That cookie could win the whole shebang.
Mary Ann Mullen is a longtime Peninsula resident who loves to teach spin classes, cook for friends, and garden. Monday through Friday, she’ll be reaching out to introduce software platforms to corporate leaders. Mary Ann is also a culinary school graduate (that was just for fun).
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(3) comments
Hello, Mary
Thanks for a fun story and a reminder we all need a break... a cookie break... in our lives. While I did not attend a culinary school, IMO... there can never be too many chocolate chips in a cookie. Have a great weekend!
Hello Mary Ann,
As a long time culinary hobbyist I was very much enjoyed your description of the cookie judging at the County Fair. I was a contestant for many years and won a number of ribbons over the years. I was able to relate to all of your comments.
At one time the Biscotti contest was a special event sponsored by a local coffee shop on 25th Ave. I won the best of the biscotti two years in a row and because of the limit in the rules on winning back to back I had to sit out a year and so they invited me to be a judge the third year.
I was glad to see the oatmeal cookie was so well received. I also make an excellent oatmeal cookie, in fact it is the reason I stopped entering the fair a few years back. I made the cookie and entered it in the California State Fair in Sacramento and won Best of Show with over a hundred entries. I made the same cookie for the SM Fair and with only 4 entries in the class I didn’t even get a 4th place honorable mention. I decided to take my time and effort and try for continued bragging rights for the whole state of California rather than just the county.
I got the desire to enter the SM County Fair again last year after being away for a few years and after Covid cancelled the fair. When I checked the entry book I found that the rules had changed so that things were more restrictive than inviting so the flame of desire was quickly extinguished before it could burn brightly. For example the pie class was for all types of pies and only one entry per exhibitor. I wanted to enter both a fruit pie and a custard pie but couldn’t and I wasn’t going to choose between them.
Mmmm. Made me hungry.
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