Taking the cake

It’s 9.30am on a Friday morning and, inside an anonymous grey building in a back street of Kings Cross, a powerful group of women are convening. Today is an important day here, at the Country Women’s Association (CWA). Today, the combined Sydney branches are holding the finals of the Land cookery competition. The winners will go on to compete in the NSW CWA State Finals and will tend for blue ribbons from the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Former President and a CWA member for more than 28 years, Gladys Shute has won multiple cookery awards at both CWA competitions and at the Royal Easter Show, and has since taken on the role of a judge outside of her own CWA Branch. “I had to go to the judging school first,” she explains, “but I’ve been doing it for so long now, I have a pretty good idea of who’s going to win just by looking at the cakes”.

As she edges carefully around the display of fruit cakes Shute remarks: “You see that one? It’s too dark. I’d have to taste it to know for sure, but it looks overcooked to me”.

So exactly what does a Land cookery judge look for when picking a winner? “Well the taste, of course,” clucks Shute sagely, “but presentation is important too. The cake should have a smooth surface… and definitely no rack marks”. Pointing in the direction of a plump Honey-Ginger sponge, she adds, “Look at the icing on that one. It’s too lumpy and rough around the edges”.

The creator of a rival sponge has attempted to give her cake the personal touch by forming delicate ornamental swirls in it’s icing. “At state finals,” announces Shute sternly, “that would result in disqualification”.

“We really don’t take it all that seriously,” counters Janice Diversi, the current President of this Sydney CWA. “Some members do have special talent in their areas, but it’s the fellowship that’s strongest,” she adds. Diversi, a CWA member for 25 years is also a strong believer in the influence and power of the group as a social and philanthropic force. “Our wing of the CWA alone gave out 27,000 scholarships to country kids last year,” she proudly states.

The CWA really do have a finger in many pies, but for some members, the appeal is simple. “I love to cook,” proclaims Shute, “it relaxes me... cooking is like therapy for me”.

The CWA Tea Room will be open at the Sydney Showground on every day of the Royal Easter Show. For more info visit www.cwaofnsw.org.au

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