The Geauga County Maple Festival Judging Committee would like to announce the results of the 2014 Maple Syrup Contest.
This year the entrants of the Maple Syrup Contest accounted for 67,655 taps from 32 townships and 8 counties. The 25 producer entrants had 26,750 taps, all in Geauga County.
Eleven out-of-county producers came in representing 37,864 taps, with one producer responsible for over 20,000 taps himself!
The Hobbyist Class, those with less than 200 taps, had 2,279 taps among 33 entrants.
New this year was the Novice Class. These are new producers in business less than 5 years. The 21 entrants combined for 761 taps.
Once again, Nancy Kothera was the official judge, assisted by James Miller and Bob Rogish. Robert Butler, winner of the last three Contests, was the additional flavor judge. Scott Anderson works with Nancy on scoring and judging.
We would like to send out a big thanks to all those who volunteer to make this a great contest each year. Richards Maple Products in Chardon, OH is our host and provides supplies and equipment as well as letting us invade their space each year. We owe them a large debt. Thank you, Richards.
Most of the syrup from the Producer’s Class and the Out-of-County Class is donated to the maple stir booth at the Maple Festival where everyone can enjoy award winning syrup in their maple stir.
All of the blue ribbon syrup entries (those syrups that score an 85 or better in the Producer’s Contest) are bottled in special bottles etched by Sam’s Etched in Time to be auctioned off at Sunday’s Maple Syrup Auction.
This year the auction will be held Sunday, April 27, at 1:00 p.m. at the Main Stage.
Everyone is eligible to bid and take home Award Winning Geauga County Maple Syrup!
2014 Geauga Maple Festival Syrup Contest Results
Geauga County Producer
1st Place – JR Blanchard
2nd Place – Charlie Soltis
3rd Place – Daniel Kurt
4th Place – Geauga Park District
5th Place – Soubusta Farms
6th Place – Roger Roseum
7th Place – Geauga County Historical Society
Out of County Producer
1st Place – Matt & Mike Cross
2nd Place – Nathan Goodell
3rd Place – Ray Gingerich
4th Place – John Stiers
5th Place – John Gingerich
6th Place – Justin Butcher
7th Place – 4-H Camp Whitewood
Hobby Sugarmaker (Less than 200 taps)
1st Place – Mark Sawyer
2nd Place – Kevin Morgan
3rd Place – Timko Family
4th Place – Travis Veleba
5th Place – Steve Sawyer
6th Place – Stephanie & Michael Bartlett
7th Place – Gary Tabaj
2014 Geauga Maple Festival Maple Candy Contest Results
2014 Grand Champion Candy Maker – Toby & James Miller
2014 Grand Champion Jr. Candy Maker – David Freeman
Twelve Sugarcakes
1st Place – Toby & James Miller
2nd Place – Jamie Behr
3rd Place – Paul Janoske, Jr.
4th Place – Heather Freeman
5th Place – Tiffany Homewood
6th Place – Rob Sharp
7th Place – Lisa Semberg
One Pound Brick
1st Place – Toby & James Miller
2nd Place – Tiffany Homewood
3rd Place – Rob Sharp
4th Place – Paul Janoske, Jr.
5th Place – Heather Freeman
6th Place – Lisa Semberg
Maple Cream Swirl
1st Place – Toby & James Miller
2nd Place – Paul Janoske, Jr.
3rd Place – Lisa Semberg
Half Pint Granulated Sugar
1st Place – Jen Freeman
2nd Place – Heather Freeman
3rd Place – Rob Sharp
4th Place – Tiffany Homewood
5th Place – Paul Janoske, Jr.
6th Place – Toby & James Miller
Half Pint Maple Spread
1st Place – Toby & James Miller
2nd Place – Lisa Semberg
3rd Place – Paul Janoske, Jr.
Maple Novelty
1st Place – Heather Freeman
Junior Sugarcakes
1st Place – Heather Patterson
2nd Place – David Freeman
3rd Place – Anthony Barham
4th Place – Johnny Patterson
5th Place – Hannah Buenner
Sugar Maple Stir
1st Place – Heather Patterson
2nd Place – Johnny Patterson
3rd Place – Anthony Barham
4th Place – David Freeman
5th Place – Hannah Buenner
Junior Maple Novelty
1st Place – Anthony Barham
2nd Place – David Freeman
3rd Place – Piper Geiss
4th Place – Hannah Buenner
5th Place – Sophia Barham
