First of all, thanks to everyone who entered the KBKA Honey Show! As the judge said on the night, the quality of this year’s entries was very good indeed so whether you received a certificate or not, well done to everyone for all your hard work – you all deserve a massive pat on the back for producing such great exhibits!
There were a few classes that didn’t have any entries at all – it might be worth thinking about these classes next year as although being the only entry in a class doesn’t mean you’ll get a first prize, it does give you a great chance of achieving something.
Clarification of prizes
You’ll notice that some classes only achieved one or two prizes, e.g. 1st + Highly Commended or 1st and 3rd. If like me, you’re wondering what happened to the missing ones in between, it is where the entry or entries did not fit within the strict criteria of 1st, 2nd or 3rd. An entry may have been to the standard of 3rd prize, for example, but not quite to the standard of 2nd. If the entry missed some of the rules completely but the judge still liked it, she has awarded a Highly Commended.
The most popular class, as always, was the taste and aroma class (13) with 13 entries.
A special ‘well done’ to Paul in winning not just one but two cups for “Best Frame” and “Best in Show”, and to Fran for winning the “Best Honey” cup for her chunk honey entry
If you didn’t win a prize this time, don’t be disheartened! For everyone who took the time and trouble to enter the show, don’t forget the Wiltshire Bee and Honey Day is fast approaching (12th October) so you still have plenty of time to perfect your exhibits in order to enter them at county level. Another bite of the cherry, as it were. The following notes might help you to step up a gear and win something there.
Feedback from a judge’s assistant
These are not comprehensive notes but a few comments from Sophie to ponder on, following her discussions with the judge during the Kennet Show on Wednesday.
Honey
Read the rules. READ the RULES. If it says 30cm, it will be measured. If it says 2kg-5kg, it will be weighed. Every pot of honey that is awarded a prize will be checked for weight.
If it says runny honey, get rid of the bubbles by letting it settle longer in the bucket.
Clean lids (no rust at all, not even a spec), clean glass (polish and polish again).
Get rid of debris by running it through a fine filter (borrow one if necessary).
Get rid of the broken bubble-scum on the surface with cling film laid over the top and peeled back. Run a clean match around the neck to clean that too.
Get rid of crystals by loosening the lid slightly, put into a bain marie and pour in (not over) a kettle of boiling water and allow to cool. Repeat as necessary. Check there are no crystals on the bottom with a torch – not even those teeny weany ones. Tighten the lid.
Do not change to a clean lid on the day. Leave sealed to build up the aromas for the judge to smell on the day. The judge allows for a bit of transport slosh but will check the neck is clean.
The soft set honey – none of the entries were properly set. Putting honey in the freezer does NOT create set honey; it slows down the granulation process. Honey granulates best at around 14-18C.
Wax
Use the same wax for all your set of blocks. Ditto for your pair candles.
To stop your wax going khaki coloured keep it below 72°.
To clean it, run it through a J cloth into a bowl or jug at 65-70C. This is how Sophie prepares her wax, and she get firsts. Minimal work.
Check the Wick size for your candle – go to the Thornes website and see what they recommend for each type of mould and wick size.
Consider how you will present your candles and make sure that the stand is flat, holds the candle and that it will not fall over.
Wicks. Dip them first in melted wax to prime them.
Everyone could make a wax wrap for The Wiltshire Bee & Honey Day. They are really easy to make and you don’t need to use your own wax.
She also has some spare fabric (50cm square) for people who sends her a SAE and promise to enter the show. Private message her on Whatsapp or send her an email – until stocks last.
Biscuits and cakes
Practise with your oven. You have 4 weeks.
Flapjacks are sadly not classed a biscuit by judges – even if they are delicious.
Biscuits should snap with an audible sound.
Labels
Only class 8 (3x matching jars with own labels for sale) and Class 27 (a counter display) should have labels as for sale as well as the show labels given to you by the secretary on the day.
The judge will measure the label position to ensure that they are all the same.
Use-by dates should be within 2 years, and for avoidance of doubt, use a full date (eg 1/9/2025), and batch/lot number on honey.
Other considerations
Have a go. You can’t win if you don’t enter, and you’d be amazed how much you learn when you prepare entries for competition. This will stand you in good stead when presenting your products for sale or even just giving away to friends and family for Christmas. They’ll treasure your apiary gifts even more if you have won a prize.
Pay attention to the classes with no entries, such as 18 (rolled candles).
The wax and honey products used in the following classes do NOT need to be from your apiary: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 29, 30, 31 – so anyone can enter them with anyone’s wax or honey. Have a go.
