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I hate that I am finally sitting down to get this post together but it has been a crazy few weeks!
I can not say enough good things about my experience at the National Maple Syrup Festival on March 10th in Medora, Indiana. From the people to the weather to the food. It was simply a great day and definitely work the drive south for me.
First thing, first. Right off the bat, after arriving in Medora, we went to the high school to get started. I was seated at the judges table along with many other accomplished judges, food writers and chefs. I am not going to lie..I was a bit starstruck!
I judged the savory category. I liked all 5 submissions but my personal favorite was the pulled pork wrap. I am still thinking about that one!
After that we took a shuttle bus to the Farm. On the way we listened to the history of maple syrup in Indiana. I learned a few things that I did not know and it was a wonderful trip out there. The hills of southern Indiana were alive that day!
After walking through the beautiful main gate of Burton’s Maplewood Farm we immediately saw MANY buckets attached to trees. My son thought it was SO cool to check out the process. He wasn’t the only one who got an ‘education’ that day. I learned SO much about the process, the history and the real finesse involved in making a quality product like the Burton Family does.
I mean, they have a state of the art piece of equipment that was unlike anything I had ever seen in their sugar house!
We enjoyed several of the activities like the live re-creations, candle dipping, rope making and visiting with several of the Indiana Artisan vendors that were there.
I also got a chance to meet someone that I had only previously known ‘online’ named Lesley Tennessen AKA “The Dutch Oven Diva” ! What a set up she had! She is a renowned dutch oven cook and her tent area smelled divine! I certainly could stand to take some lessons from her!
The Burton’s are building what will be THE largest walk-in Rumford fireplace. Their sugar house was beautiful and had the neatest iron work on the doors. I am a metal fan, so I was drawn to the hinges!
There was such a comfortable atmosphere once I stepped foot in the sugar house. It was warm, cozy and had the faintest scent of cedar and maple in the air.
All in all, it was a great experience. I got to meet some really fantastic people at the judges table and taste some new dishes. I definitely had a favorite (it didn’t win) but all 5 that I tasted were winners to me!
I would like to thank King Arthur Flour for sending me a bunch of great products to try and write about and Tim and Angie Burton of Burton’s Maplewood Farm for inviting me to be a judge. I was honored and flattered to be asked!
I am already excited for next year!
Here is a great post I did a few weeks ago using King Arthur Flour, bacon and a healthy portion of Burton’s own maple syrup:
Maple Bacon Pull Apart Bread
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| This is one fabulous piece of equipment! I have never seen anything like it! |
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| Beautiful liquid gold. |
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| Bourbon barrels for the rum infused variety (my personal favorite) |
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| Matt and I taking a break on the front porch |
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| Fresh from the tree! |
