A Big Clifty woman is savoring the sweet taste of victory after capturing the grand champion title in the 2012 Taste of Honeyfest Cooking Contest.
Barbara Skaggs walked away with the purple rosette following judging Thursday, Sept. 27.
She received four other ribbons as well — a first place, a second place, and two thirds. Her submissions included a chocolate sauerkraut cake, pecan squares, apple dumplings and bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages.
Contestants entered their dishes – each made with at least 1/4 cup of honey – and recipes in categories ranging from breads to miscellaneous. Judging was done by those attending the contest, who paid $5 each to sample the treats and then voted for their favorites.
Tables full of meats, desserts and side dishes — nearly two dozen dishes in all — greeted those coming into City Hall, where the contest was held.
The dessert category drew the most competition, with eight entries.
This was the contest’s third year under this format: previously, contestants paid to enter and a panel of judges selected the winners.
Skaggs, who won three ribbons in last year’s contest, said their’s isn’t a honey-only household, but it is a sweetener they reach for frequently.
“A lot of times my husband sweetens his coffee with honey,” she said. “And I make those little sausages quite frequently — they’re really popular in our family.”
Victoria Kirk, who shared last year’s championship title with Ovilla Powell, took home a blue ribbon this year.

















