RETURN OF THE FAMOUS PUDDING COMPETITION –
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FREE MEAL FOR TWO AT HODGKINSONS HOTEL (to the value of £66)
Following the overwhelming success of last year’s pudding competition, we’re holding another one this year!
This year’s judges will be the winner of last year’s event - local chef, Colin D Smith & last year's judge Tony Carline, Cromford's local butcher and pork pie maker extraordinaire.
The rules are simple:
1 All entries must be at the Celebrating Cromford Stall on Scarthin by 1.00 pm on Sat. 15 June
2 Please tell us what it is (can be sweet or savoury, as many entries as you like) & make sure we’ve got your contact details.
2a We’ll assume all pies may contain nuts, trace of nuts but probably not horsemeat unless you specifically tell us.
3 It costs nothing to enter; first prize for the overall winner is a meal for two at Hogkinson’s Hotel, Matlock Bath
4 Any plates, dishes, or other accoutrements used should be collected from the Celebrating Cromford Stall by end of Saturday.
5 The winner will be announced at 2.00 in or near the Marquee
6 The judge’s decision is final – details on judging criteria can be found on this page
7 After judging all pies will be sold by the slice and all monies raised will go to Celebrating Cromford & the local organisations they support – so thank you for your donation
and a Big thank you to our co-sponsors
SCARTHIN BOOKS
&
HODGKINSONS HOTEL
This year’s judges will be the winner of last year’s event - local chef, Colin D Smith & last year's judge Tony Carline, Cromford's local butcher and pork pie maker extraordinaire.
The rules are simple:
1 All entries must be at the Celebrating Cromford Stall on Scarthin by 1.00 pm on Sat. 15 June
2 Please tell us what it is (can be sweet or savoury, as many entries as you like) & make sure we’ve got your contact details.
2a We’ll assume all pies may contain nuts, trace of nuts but probably not horsemeat unless you specifically tell us.
3 It costs nothing to enter; first prize for the overall winner is a meal for two at Hogkinson’s Hotel, Matlock Bath
4 Any plates, dishes, or other accoutrements used should be collected from the Celebrating Cromford Stall by end of Saturday.
5 The winner will be announced at 2.00 in or near the Marquee
6 The judge’s decision is final – details on judging criteria can be found on this page
7 After judging all pies will be sold by the slice and all monies raised will go to Celebrating Cromford & the local organisations they support – so thank you for your donation
and a Big thank you to our co-sponsors
SCARTHIN BOOKS
&
HODGKINSONS HOTEL
The strange history of the Cromford Pudding
Back by popular demand......
Following the overwhelming success of last year's pudding competition, The Pudding competition is now an annual event.
Once again the Celebrating Cromford research team had a productive year & made some interesting discoveries about the original pudding. The journals of Joseph Wright, (Arkwright's portrait painter) reveal that he was very impressed by a pudding given to him by Arkwright. He made detailed notes on the aesthetic appearance, crispness of the crust and lack of sogginess of the pastry lining. Although he spoke in glowing terms about the flavour and texture of the filling there was no record of of the contents or indeed whether the pudding was sweet or savoury, . In fact so impressed was Joseph, he sought out the local baker to discover the secret of 'this most wonderful gastronomic creation'. Despite his efforts the baker was not prepared to give away any secrets beyond having cold hands and using the 'most wonderful and curative Cromford spring water' as a vital ingredient. It seems Joseph kept the unfortunate baker talking for so long that a batch of pies burnt in the oven, which he dutifully paid for, taking a burnt crust as a reminder of his visit to Cromford.
In a strange turn of events a curious urn was uncovered after a boundary wall collapsed near Rock House last summer. The urn contained a scrap of paper with a short, faded inscription: The revered immolated crust of J Wright esq. 1797 along with ashes of what may have been a pie crust.
(with thanks to our lead researcher Ian Brooks for his diligent efforts)
Following the overwhelming success of last year's pudding competition, The Pudding competition is now an annual event.
Once again the Celebrating Cromford research team had a productive year & made some interesting discoveries about the original pudding. The journals of Joseph Wright, (Arkwright's portrait painter) reveal that he was very impressed by a pudding given to him by Arkwright. He made detailed notes on the aesthetic appearance, crispness of the crust and lack of sogginess of the pastry lining. Although he spoke in glowing terms about the flavour and texture of the filling there was no record of of the contents or indeed whether the pudding was sweet or savoury, . In fact so impressed was Joseph, he sought out the local baker to discover the secret of 'this most wonderful gastronomic creation'. Despite his efforts the baker was not prepared to give away any secrets beyond having cold hands and using the 'most wonderful and curative Cromford spring water' as a vital ingredient. It seems Joseph kept the unfortunate baker talking for so long that a batch of pies burnt in the oven, which he dutifully paid for, taking a burnt crust as a reminder of his visit to Cromford.
In a strange turn of events a curious urn was uncovered after a boundary wall collapsed near Rock House last summer. The urn contained a scrap of paper with a short, faded inscription: The revered immolated crust of J Wright esq. 1797 along with ashes of what may have been a pie crust.
(with thanks to our lead researcher Ian Brooks for his diligent efforts)
Judging Criteria being used by one of our judges.
Overall appearance before slicing
Crust
Filling
Level of originality and creativity
Overall presentation, aroma and flavour
- Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, an even bake,
- not too dark or light in colour
- structure of body/flakiness of edge
- crisp base
Crust
- Consistency of the crust texture
- thickness
- taste
- after-taste of crust
Filling
- Quality and quantity of prime ingredient- taste sensation in the mouth (hot, sweet, sour, salty, umami)
- tenderness
- moistness
- correctly seasoned
- depth of savoury or sweetness
Level of originality and creativity
- How memorable?
- any decoration?
- how challenging/technical?
- Use of seasonal/foraged ingredients
Overall presentation, aroma and flavour
- Outstanding visual impact
- intense and appetising aroma
- Excellent balance and strength/length of flavour
