Phrase Writers Group

At every U3A (University of the Third Age) Creative Writing meeting we are given (optional) homework, a subject or phrase to inspire a story or poem.

Friends donated their (first) names

A DISTANT STAR

Her Black Forest Gateaux scone, much loved by friends & family, had yet again been judged a distant star in a local cookery competition.

Tobiah stared in disbelief. She needed her best friend like never before; had not felt this bad since, well, the last contest. The ones she entered every other week.

She asked for feedback from the chief judge. Then a quick phone call and off to The Comfort Zone cafe to wait for Heather.

Best friends know when to drop everything. And Heather’s diary was packed with tasting tournaments, so she had a fortnightly heads up.

As she entered the cafe, gentle music was being played by resident band, Ellis. Louise and Sophie, the L and S in Ellis.

Tobiah waved Heather over. They hugged, gave the friendly waitress their usual order, and Heather awaited her friend’s tale of woe.

“My scones were also rans, again. The head judge said I need to up my game. What does that even mean? I do my best every time, and apart from the first time, I fail”.

Heather thought back to that occasion, a cookery competition at their Village Fair. Heather had been volunteered as one of the judges, bringing a younger vibe. Tobiah’s Black Forest Gateaux scones stood out from the delicious but predictable Victoria Sponge, Apple Pie and Cheese scones. Heather’s casting vote gave Tobiah her first win.

Both had since scaled their chosen ladders, Tobiah entering bigger competitions and Heather, becoming known on the cookery connoisseur circuit. Tobiah knew nothing of this, being obsessed with winning again.

Their pot of tea arrived with plates for Tobiah’s leftover scones. The Cafe waitress knew cream and jam were not needed with the extensive ingredient list in the Black Forest Gateaux scones. They had been slightly warmed.

Heather wondered how to encourage her friend, without stomping on her dreams. “Up my game” was really no help.

“Have you made any changes to your recipe?” she asked.

“Why would I?” said Tobiah. “Worked well all those years ago”.

“That’s the thing. It really stood out at the Village Fair, totally different. But at regional and county contests, the cooks are more experienced and trying different ingredients and techniques. Maybe look at a few small changes”.

“What do you know about judging?” thought Tobiah. Still, worth a try.

Heather had kept her friend’s recipe. She pondered it.

“Try using butter instead of margarine...”

“What?” said an outraged Tobiah. “This method has been in my family for generations. It’s the margarine advertised everywhere for cooks”.

“A suggestion”, said an unruffled Heather. “Butter makes for a richer mixture and no additives or E numbers. Just milk and some salt.

“Now, you’re using a 1:4 ratio, one ounce of fat to four of flour. Try 1:3, helps the taste no end. And add...”

“Woe hang on” said Tobiah. “I need to make some notes, lots of them”.

Heather waited for the scone maker to finish scribbling in her A4 note pad, before continuing.

“Add a generous amount of ground almonds, and large amounts of spices. Mixed, ginger and cinnamon. Enough to colour your white flour!

“You’re using glacé cherries. Soaked in sugar. Try stoneless cherries, dried or frozen. Soak them in Kirsch or Cherry brandy, preferably over several days in a sealed container. Top up when necessary. Drain when making the scones, but keep the Kirsch and don’t drink it all!

“Add Cottage Cheese, to balance the booze and tamper the texture. Mix with the cherries and add to flour fusion. If you need some moisture, some milk and the Cherry brandy should do it.

“Maybe replace large chocolate chunks with mini pieces, lots of them”.

Tobiah was still scrawling.

Heather handed her the old recipe.

“I’ve made some notes. Remember, the main thing is to practise different ideas, and enjoy yourself. Making mistakes is proof you’re trying. Plenty of people in this cafe are keen to try your experiments”.

Tobiah smiled for the first time in weeks.

“Thank you, I’ll work hard on these ideas. Thing is, I was an overnight star with the Village Fair, and been coasting since. Time to develop, aim for a taste explosion and visual delight”.

Heather smiled, thinking to her journey as a cookery judge. Participating in lots of contests, watching the judges, learning from them. Talking to chefs at food exhibitions, finding what works and equally importantly the combinations that flop. She was a judge at Tobiah’s next contest in a few weeks, that would prove interesting.

There were several meetings at The Comfort Zone cafe over next 10 days, as Tobiah tried Heather’s suggestions, and plenty of thumbs up from Sophie, Louise and other regulars. The reduced sugar content helped though the Kirsch soaked cherries added a moreish Je ne sais quoi.

The annual County Fair attracted contestants from all walks of life for various displays and contests. Tobiah recognised several names from television talent shows; clearly they had moved on to rural outposts.

“Relax, smile” Tobiah told herself. “Enjoy the experience, winning is just a bonus”.

She had taken care for once in the presentation of her Black Forest Gateaux scones. Like the baking, another thing she had rehearsed back home. Now came the waiting as the judges prodded and sampled.

Tobiah indulged in a Mini Magnum ice cream, while walking round, to take her mind off the judging process inside the cooking tent.

Some time later as she finished off a third Mini Magnum, Tobiah was relieved albeit apprehensive to hear the Fair tannoy announce the results were ready.

She joined a packed tent; the other contestants had brought friends and family for support.

There were several categories; cakes, savoury, pies plus junior, restaurant chef, and assorted others. The organisers clearly wanted to encourage as many participants as possible.

“All these prizes, I must at least get a mention” thought Tobiah, as another trophy and highly recommended won applause.

“Ah well, I tried. And I have some great scones to share with Heather later in our cafe”.

“That concludes the formal results” said someone Tobiah presumed was a culinary connoisseur. “Let me introduce our star judge, for some closing comments. Please welcome Heather”.

Hands sore from so much clapping renewed their appreciation.

“Thank you everyone” said Heather. “It’s always a delight at these contests, often meeting friends new and mature”.

Gentle laughter echoed round the tent.

“We judge on taste, presentation, creativity. Fact is, it is an honour to meet all you wonderful cooks. We had much lively debate and opposing opinions on all the superb submissions. But this year’s star entry was unanimous.

“For her innovative and delicious Black Forest Gateaux scones, step forward Tobiah”.