Sorting men from the boys Dubbo Show Men’s Cake Challenge Hey Fella’s, if you think you’ve got what it takes to bake the house down, enter the Dubbo Show Men’s Cake Challenge. Entry fee is By YVETTE AUBUSSON-FOLEY $1.50. Entries close, April 30, Friday, 5
TENSION in the air rose like a cinnamon tea cake baked at 150 degrees.
Under grey skies the wind blustered the Dubbo Showground last Wednesday, February 24, adding to the unease as an assembly of anxious supporters waited to capture the moment a husband or friend would be crowned victorious at the inaugural Dubbo Photo News’ Men’s Bake Off.
Country Women’s Association (CWA) professional cake judge Audrey Tremain seemed conflicted as to whether she should keep a straight face, but true to purpose she sliced cakes with the precision of a surgeon in search of the cinnamon tea cake jewel she had come to find.
The Dubbo Photo News’ Men’s Bake Off drew contestants from Kintyre Living Retirement Village and Oak Tree Retirement Village, the latter arriving with their cheer squad in the village bus driven by village manager Joanna Wodson.
The gents remained calm and amicable during judging, though looks of concern spread like an uncooked centre, as Mrs Tremain sorted the men from the boys, unceremoniously pushing several of the cakes to one end of the table – and out of the race, as it were.
“Don’t be offended,” she sweetly said but the gesture cut deep, and there were men in the crowd whose hopes, everyone knew, were crumbled.
“Well, it’s definitely down to these two,” Mrs Tremain matter-of-factly announced.
Citing a golden colour, a light and fluffy texture and wellformed shapes for both – the slightest wedge was cut from the centre of each cake for Mrs Tremain to taste.
In the quickest of gestures (as if she’d shewn a fly from her face), the commander in chief of those tiny crumbs confidently proclaimed a winner.
“That’s the one,” she said, of John O’brien’s finely baked specimen.
All contestants left with a commemorative bag of flour and a stress ball in the shape of a loaf of bread, personally presented by Sarah Jane’s Fine Foods manager Belinda Pengilley, a wooden spoon courtesy of Dubbo Photo News and for Mr O’brien the additional, engraved champion’s cake tin, presented by Dubbo Show Society president Wesley Temessl.
Noel Bennett was proud to have had his cinnamon tea cake give Mr O’brien’s a fair run for his money, accepting second place, with Des Pope coming in third.
“For many of us this is the first time we’ve ever done anything like this, and possibly it’s the last time,” Mr Bennett said in what appeared to be a victory speech revised at the last minute.
To all participants Mrs Tremain gave the worthiest of advice: “Keep trying.”
ARIES: At work, you’ll be happy to take on a new group of clients interested in your products and services. The abundance of work will also get you thinking about starting a new project.
TAURUS: A getaway may be planned at the last minute. You might also consider going to work in another region so you can enjoy new and more enriching experiences. A training course will prove beneficial.
GEMINI: When faced with a need for change, you’ll be guided by the little voice in your head that encourages you to live a life of passion and adventure. Doing so will allow you to broaden your horizons.
CANCER: You’ll slowly come across the right information to take your life in a new direction. You’ll find yourself full of enthusiasm and joy as you plan for the future.
LEO: At work, you’ll have to negotiate with a few different groups to reach an agreement following a tense situation. You’ll likely play a role in your community or work union.
VIRGO: Professionally, you’ll experience success when dealing with a group or the government. In terms of your health, you’ll be surprised by the treatment you receive to resolve a long-standing problem.
LIBRA: You don’t always enjoy being in the spotlight. However, when you accomplish a major feat, it’s normal to want to receive applause and be the focus of everyone’s attention for a while.
SCORPIO: You’ll start seriously looking into finding a new home or buying a house. Your children will bring you a moment of great happiness.
SAGITTARIUS: You’ll be extra chatty this week and always know what to say to get a laugh. A well-timed joke on your part may defuse a tense situation at work or at home.
CAPRICORN: You might start compulsively shopping. You’ll also feel a strong urge to get moving and experience new things. Be careful not to drain your bank account.
AQUARIUS: It’s important that you take enough time to rest so that you can start the week off on the right foot. You’ll need all the sleep you can get to be efficient and up to the task at hand.
PISCES: You’ll be very creative. You’ll likely draw inspiration from different cultures or ways of life to create a masterpiece. As fatigue creeps up on you, you’ll start to plan a holiday to get away from it all.
The luckiest signs this week: Aries, Taurus and Gemini.
Mar 4: Lindy Chamberlain-creighton, mother of baby Azaria, 73. Barrie Cassidy, former ABC journalist and personal press secretary for Prime Minister Bob Hawke,
71. Chris Rea, British singer, 70. Ray Price, footy player,
68. Karen Knowles, singer, 57. Steve Bastoni, actor,
55. Michael Cheika, rugby coach and former player, 54.
Geoff Huegill, swimmer, 42.
Mar 5: Dean Stockwell, US actor, 85. Mike Walsh, TV personality, 83. Mem Fox, author, 75. Jennifer Byrne, TV personality, 66. Nicole Pratt, tennis player, 48. Eva Mendes, US actress, 47. Fifi Box, Tv/radio presenter, 44.
Jordy Lucas, Neighbours actress, 29.
Mar 6: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, NZ opera singer, 77. David Gilmour, British musician of Pink Floyd, 75. Steve Vizard, TV personality, 65. Shaquille O’neal, basketballer, 49. Yael Stone, actress, 36.
Mar 7: Daniel J. Travanti, US actor, 81. Rex Hunt, fishing guru, AFL player, 72. Virginia Bell, former Justice, 70. Sir Viv Richards, West Indian cricketer, 69. David Koch, Sunrise co-host (pictured), 65. Ivan Lendl, Czech tennis great, 61.
Cameron Daddo, TV host, 56.
Rachel Weisz, British actress,
51. Simon Pryce, actor, Wiggle, 49.
Jason Bright, V8 Supercar driver, 48.
Mar 8: Micky Dolenz, of ‘60s pop group The Monkees,
76. Carole Bayer Sager, US songwriter, singer, 74. Aidan Quinn, Irish-american actor, 62. Angie Hart, from pop group Frente, 49. Freddie Prinze Jr, US actor, 45. James Van Der Beek, Dawson on TV’S Dawson’s Creek, 44. Charli Delaney, former Hi-5 member, 41. Matthew Krok, child actor on Hey Dad!, 39. Jonathan Wright, Gilgandra-born NRL player, 34.
Mar 9: John Doyle, aka Rampaging Roy Slaven, 68. Juliette Binoche, French actress, 57. Tony Lockett, AFL great, 55. Emmanuel Lewis, played TV’S Webster, 50. Danny Green, professional boxer, 48. Lucas Neill, soccer player, 43. Matt Bowen, footy player, 39.
Mar 10: Chuck Norris, US martial arts man, actor, 81. Sharon Stone, US actress, 63. Prince Edward, royal, 57. Timbaland, US rapper, 50. Eva Herzigova, Czech model, 48. Carrie Underwood, US country singer, 38. Olivia Wilde, US actress, 37. Emeli Sande, British singer, 34.