I want to enter the fair this year with a cake. They say its the first year for this catergory but I thought in years past that I had seen cakes, but whatever. The only rules are that it has to be an 8" round or a 9x13. It will be judged on appearance and taste. This is where I am stumped!!! I was going to do a cake iced in chcolate buttercream with ganache piping and choc. covered strawberries. ....The problem - the fair is a week long and tempatures in 90's. The cake I had thought of will be a complete wreck by the end. So what recipes would you suggest that I use that won't be such a disaster.

don't they usually judge the cake in the beginning of the fair? If that's when the judging is done I'd say go ahead and make it.

Are you sure the cake has to be real...I can't imagine a real competition cake sitting for a week....

Check with the fair people. At our State fair, the judging takes place the first day, when everything is fresh. The remains stay on for the duration, but everything is judged the first day. The ribbons remain on the winners until the end of the fair.

She said they would be judging on taste and appearance. I hope they have to be real cakes.

When I entered the California State Fair Cake Show last year, it had to be real cake from scratch, and my cake sat for three weeks, in a display glass case, but that was after it was judged on taste, flavor, texture and overall.
The cake had to be delivered that morning of the judging. But after the judging I really didn't care what they do with it. They were very specific about disposable boards because they don't want to be bothered with returning stuff. As long as the cake is good during the judging, then don't worry about it after. It's all in their hands...Good luck..

BTW I will be in it again this year.. it's a lot of fun..

But what about all of my friends that I told I would have a cake. When they go to see it the cake will be horrible.

Sorry I sounded so shocked but here there is never real cakes left in a display at a competition due to the rancid smell of say butter or something else rotting.But I suppose a cake wouldn't rot like other foods.Interesting....

Actually you would be surprised how bad icing smells on a moist cake that has been sitting for weeks....it is not a pretty smell at all!!!

Then they just have to go see it during judging, if it's an open judgement.
Some fairs don't do open judging.. they can come look after, but as what you said it won't look very pretty, just let them know ahead of time.

If there is so many entries, they only display the winners or have a big stand and display all of them..that really depends what they want to do.

Last year I did Fondant.. It survived the whole three weeks. It was tossed on the last day of the fair. Same day we had the awards ceremony. I am again doing Fondant this year. But the inside will be Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese and Maple Filling, since my theme is Harvest. take photos and show us your cake. Ganache should be alright. Anycake will stand heat, but not all kinds of icing.

The fair here in NC usually lasts about two weeks... and the cakes sit in a display case for the entirety... yuck! They really look gross toward the end of the fair but they are judged the first day with the ribbons being placed with the cake (oh and your name goes right in there with the cake for the two weeks).

I think it's a great opportunity to get some recognition for all of your hard work but the advertising (sitting in a display case for two weeks) can't be good. There must be a better way.

Best of luck on making a decision.

This is so stressful!! I had actually planned to do a three tiered wedding cake. I was so excited!!!! ....then I find out that it can only be an 8" round or 9x13!!!!!!!!!! I was crused. I could enter it in the state fair, but I have a lot to do that weekend! So I don't know if I can handle the stress!

Well, if you will only be making one 8" instead of a three tiered cake that you had wanted in the first place, then should be less work for you then, from a three tier to a little one 8".. just relax, whatever you can do ahead of time do it. Like flowers or other decors you might want to put on it.
Don't worry, it youl be fine. But I know what you mean. Last year was my first time, but I won anyway. Best of Show, Best of Division, Best of Class and Blue Ribbon (First Place)..I got more than I had anticipated..
You'll be fine..Things will go smooth if you are organized.. Good Luck :USA: