The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Sourdough baking competitions in the UK for amateur bakers, with feedback.

AndrewG's picture
AndrewG

Sourdough baking competitions in the UK for amateur bakers, with feedback.

I am new to this forum, so I apologise if this thread is in the wrong section.

I would like to know if there are any UK sourdough baking competitions for amateur bakers. For several years I have entered what I thought were above average loaves into my village garden show which have been judged by Women's Institute (WI)  judges, but have been scored very lowly. The winning loaves have been absolutely awful, with major faults such as zero oven spring.

Considering the time involved in sourdough baking, I would like to receive constructive feed back on my bread in order to improve it. One year my loaf looked like a loaf very similar to one baked by a pupil of Richard Bertinet, unfortunately it was awarded last place.

Does anyone else have experience with bread being judged by the WI?

Does anyone know what the WI looks for in a loaf, it certainly doesn't seem to be oven spring, an open crumb or any decent level of flavour or acidity?

Many thanks

Davey1's picture
Davey1

I don't know this competition - but flavor is not a criteria in most of these types of competitions. Enjoy!

JeremyCherfas's picture
JeremyCherfas

In my experience, the WI is very seldom looking for flavour, mostly they have standards of visual perfection, like clarity in jams and marmalades. I have not been involved for about 20 years, but I seem to remember that the standards were published and available. But maybe that was the RHS standards for garden produce and I am misremembering.

In any case, I would not begin to look to the WI to judge my breads. They are fine for a Victoria Sponge and maybe a fruit scone, but not for anything more interesting. You don't say where you are, but I would suggest that it would be good to try and find other local bakers and work together on each other's breads.

Good luck