Sligo native Breda Forkin works full-time in administration and farms with her husband in Ballymote, yet always finds time to enter the baking competition in the Tullamore Show.
“I bake to have fun and I certainly don’t take these competitions too seriously,” says Breda, who reluctantly admits to her former title as champion of the sugar craft contest in 2012.
“I’m certainly not one of those people who practises for weeks before the show to make that perfect cake.”
For Breda, it’s all about the challenge and the enjoyment of baking for the show and trying her best to make something original and creative, which will inspire spectators to get involved as well.
“I developed an interest for baking like any other little girl helping her mother in the kitchen. I always found baking interesting and challenging. The competitive bit started when I saw a poster for the Tullamore Show 10 years ago and learned about the baking contest.”
Since then, Breda has entered religiously and as each year passes, she is motivated to improve her baking, develop new skills and learn new ideas and recipes.
“The baking competitions allow me to get involved in one of the largest shows in the country and it gives me the opportunity to meet so many diverse and superb bakers.”
Breda says the show is a “brilliant day out for the whole family” and believes that entering competitions, no matter what category, adds further enjoyment and excitement to the day.
Since getting involved in the show, Breda’s grandniece, Danielle, has also taken an interest in baking and entering competitions.
Chocolate to ginger
This year, Breda is hoping to enter a chocolate cake, cupcakes, yoghurt loaf and ginger bread. But even though she has won many awards, she has been susceptible to the odd catastrophe in the kitchen.
“Making good ginger bread is a significant challenge and oftentimes ends up a tragic mess, which is only fit for the judges in the hen house,” she jokes.
Breda’s top tips for anyone considering entering the baking contest is to use good ingredients such as free-range eggs and real butter instead of margarine, and, if possible, to bake bread in a range oven, as it comes out much better.
Lastly and most importantly: “Don’t panic, enjoy the show and make it a day to remember.”
Read more
Full series: Best in show
Sligo native Breda Forkin works full-time in administration and farms with her husband in Ballymote, yet always finds time to enter the baking competition in the Tullamore Show.
“I bake to have fun and I certainly don’t take these competitions too seriously,” says Breda, who reluctantly admits to her former title as champion of the sugar craft contest in 2012.
“I’m certainly not one of those people who practises for weeks before the show to make that perfect cake.”
For Breda, it’s all about the challenge and the enjoyment of baking for the show and trying her best to make something original and creative, which will inspire spectators to get involved as well.
“I developed an interest for baking like any other little girl helping her mother in the kitchen. I always found baking interesting and challenging. The competitive bit started when I saw a poster for the Tullamore Show 10 years ago and learned about the baking contest.”
Since then, Breda has entered religiously and as each year passes, she is motivated to improve her baking, develop new skills and learn new ideas and recipes.
“The baking competitions allow me to get involved in one of the largest shows in the country and it gives me the opportunity to meet so many diverse and superb bakers.”
Breda says the show is a “brilliant day out for the whole family” and believes that entering competitions, no matter what category, adds further enjoyment and excitement to the day.
Since getting involved in the show, Breda’s grandniece, Danielle, has also taken an interest in baking and entering competitions.
Chocolate to ginger
This year, Breda is hoping to enter a chocolate cake, cupcakes, yoghurt loaf and ginger bread. But even though she has won many awards, she has been susceptible to the odd catastrophe in the kitchen.
“Making good ginger bread is a significant challenge and oftentimes ends up a tragic mess, which is only fit for the judges in the hen house,” she jokes.
Breda’s top tips for anyone considering entering the baking contest is to use good ingredients such as free-range eggs and real butter instead of margarine, and, if possible, to bake bread in a range oven, as it comes out much better.
Lastly and most importantly: “Don’t panic, enjoy the show and make it a day to remember.”
Read more
Full series: Best in show
SHARING OPTIONS