They came from all over the country and they’d been up since cock-crow, some even before. Busily baking scones they had been, and adding final touches, carefully selecting baskets perhaps & some deftly dusting with icing sugar. One baker in fact I believe had made four batches before deciding which scones to send. Some sent a selection of flavours and there were interesting variations. Scones varied and participants varied but they all had passion in common and the air of nervous anticipation mixed with giddy excitement was palpable around the exquisitely laid tables for Afternoon Tea at The Merrion Hotel as they awaited the announcement.
I was honoured to be part of the judging panel and to spend the morning tasting all ten entries. They were lifted, turned, torn, buttered, smelled and savoured and while it was fun to play food critic we took these scones seriously.
Well done to all the other finalists in Goodall’s Best Scone 2014
- The Tea Rooms, Quin, Co. Clare
- Coffee Pod, Cork
- Janey Macs, Kinsale
- Café Fergus, Newmarket on Fergus
- Mitchells Café, Kylemore Abbey
- Centra, Gorey for Brigid’s Scones
- The Pantry, Kilkee
- The Tea Rooms at Ducketts Grove, Carlow
- Daisy Cottage Farm, Co. Wicklow
But as always there can only be one who gets to wear the crown. It’s been decided and the 2014 badge of honour for ‘Goodall’s Best Scone’ has been bestowed upon Graham Herterich – The Cupcake Bloke. Congratulations Graham!
In business since December 2012, Graham {The Cupcake Bloke} sells his beautiful baked goods from Coppinger Row Market on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The winning scone from The Cupcake Bloke was a Black Pudding and Apple savoury scone, that’s made from Irish produce, including black pudding from Graham’s cousin’s butchers, Herterich’s Butchers in Longford.
Alongside his partner, Daithi Kelleher, Graham has grown the business over the last 18 months, and now, in addition to its market stall in Coppinger Row, The Cupcake Bloke also offers bespoke baking for events and weddings.
Best wishes to Graham & happy baking!
‘Til next time, Sheila.