CHRISTMAS is the time of year that fruitcakes really come to the fore and for those who are not so good at making them, it’s a time to look to those who can.

17-year-old Monivae College student, Stella Kent entered a boiled fruitcake in the 2023 Tyrendarra show which won and qualified her to enter the Tyrendarra group final which she also won.

This achievement made her eligible to enter the Victorian Agriculture Show (VAS) Junior Boiled Fruit Cake State Competition in the 2024 Melbourne Royal Show (MRS) where she took out first place.

Topping the stiff competition at the MRS was a huge victory for Stella as in past years she had come both third and second place in the very same section.

“This year, I only cooked two cakes for the Melbourne show and ended up using the first one – so that was pretty good, because sometimes you’ve got to cook a lot of cakes to get the perfect one,” she said.

All competitors in the section were to follow a set recipe with 100 per cent grown Australian produce preferred.

In addition to a VAS 2024 State Final trophy, Stella was also presented with a $300 Spotlight Voucher which she hoped to put towards baking supplies such as cooking tins and cake decorating items.

Stella shared what to look for when making the ideal boiled fruit cake.

“You want to get a good colour in a cake and have the least amount of cracks, or none with smooth edges (if it’s a round cake),” she said.

 Stella’s mum, Bettina exclaimed, “I’ve been trying for years to win the senior (Rich Fruit Cake State Competition) but the closest I’ve ever got is third place!

“So, it’s pretty tough competition.”

 “It feels good to have beaten mum to it,” Stella teased.

Bettina added that Stella’s Pa, Brian Meyer is always happy to lend a helping hand with eating the fruitcakes.

Nice work if you can get it!