I think if I had put them in the "ethnic cookie" category I might have fared better.
Strangely enough, the cookies are my specialty that I have made for years and years. My Grannie taught me how to make them. It was her mother's recipe. They are a Norwegian cookie that has a specific baking technique (the color on the bottom is a pale golden blonde, once you get beyond that, they are over-done), and a specific flavor profile (almond extract). I entered them as sugar cookies because technically they are.... but they obviously did not wow the judges enought to win first.
The other factor is I have never entered the baking category before, so I have no idea what criteria the judges use to determine the winner. This is my cookie (lower), and the first place winner (upper). Mine is a standard 2 1/2" cookie. The upper must have been at least 4" across, plus they frosted it. (Crappy looking frosting, imho.) So, are judges wanting a bakery-style cookie? The competition rules state that no commercial mixes are to be used, and must be made by the entrant.
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Another factor that worked against me was that the day I baked and turned in my entry was not the day they judged the cookies. They judged the cookies the next day, and everyone knows that cookies are best when freshly baked.
I have thought about this a lot. You can tell. I will get some judges notes back when I pick up my ribbons next week, so I will hopefully figure out what they are looking for in that category.
You got second place at the STATE fair on your first attempt. I would not in any way call that letting your granny down. I'm sure she would be quite proud of you.
Congrats on your success at the fair @Babydoll ! I think your cookie looks better, but you never know what's in the judge's mind.
I entered a chocolate cake in the adult division when I was a long-haired fifteen-year-old in 1975. Came in second and I really enjoyed the looks on the faces of the old-timers when I came to pick up my ribbon. I also won Best of Show in the hobby crafts division with a toothpick sculpture of an owl. It beat out grandfather clocks and other amazing woodworking examples, so you never can tell about judging...
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Starting to pick out prints of our lifelines to be either cast or engraved on wedding rings.
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Alden 403 Moc Toe Boot - Brown Chromexcel - $680 The classic "Indy" style Alden Boot in the classic Horween brown Chromexcel. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - #395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket. 
