When 10th grader Nicole Putnoki entered the Riverton Grange Fair food competitions she had no aspirations about winning. “Last year was my first try and I did get a 2nd place ribbon, but I never expected to win three categories this year!” Putnoki, a culinary arts student from Winsted, won for her Bread & Butter Pickles, Cookies (she chose sugar) and Frosted Apple Squares in the October 13th Fair, Junior Division. “I just wanted to see how good I was”, she commented recently, “because cooking and baking are something I like to do.” She attributes some of her good skills to watching her grandmother who “makes her own bread and is a great cook!” In fact, her career aspirations are to run her own bakery.

The Riverton Grange Fair is part of the Association of CT Fairs. The junior baking contest is open to those between the ages of 9 and 15.

The Frosted Apple Squares was a recipe given to each entrant. They were required to follow the recipe and were judged on appearance, flavor and texture. The other two recipes were of the Nicole’s choice. The hardest part, she felt, was following the recipe exactly. It took her several tries to produce what she felt was her best work.