What’s more magical than a book that makes you smell the oven before you’ve even flipped the first page. Baking Queen of the County Fair: Recipes from Nova Scotia’s Most Decorated Baker by Evelyn Strong does just that — and then some. This charming collection of recipes isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a love letter to generations of home bakers, small-town pride, and the timeless wonder of fair-day treats. Through its recipes and stories, it captures why the Hants County Exhibition in Windsor, Nova Scotia — North America’s oldest continuously run agricultural fair — remains such a beloved pillar of autumn tradition. https://hantscountyex.com/
For almost 60 years, Evelyn Strong has reigned supreme in the bake-off tent at the Hants County Exhibition. This is no small feat: the Exhibition isn’t just “another fair.” It’s a community cornerstone where livestock, produce, crafts, and baked goods are celebrated with equal fervour, and where ribbons are as treasured as memories. Strong’s status as the most decorated baker in the fair’s storied history gives this book a sense of authority and nostalgia that will resonate with anyone who has ever watched a prized pie win a blue ribbon. https://formac.ca/contributor/evelyn-strong/
From the flakiest pie crusts to the richest chocolate cakes, the recipes in this book are deceptively straightforward — a testament to Strong’s philosophy that the best baking comes from heart, not fuss. Every chapter feels like a stroll through the Exhibition’s bustling halls: the cookies section whispers of Saturday mornings in a country kitchen, while the cake recipes evoke memories of sharing slices with neighbours just before awards are announced.
Highlights include the buttery shortbread, whose tender crumb seems to melt on the tongue, and a classic chocolate cake recipe that’s both rich and unfussy — the kind you’d find cooling on a windowsill back at home. Strong’s instructions are generous and clear, offering tips honed from decades of competition-level baking. She doesn’t just list ingredients; she teaches you why a flaky crust matters or what makes a sponge rise just right. It’s like having a wise baking aunt standing beside you, gently guiding your hands.
A Maritime classic is Egg Tarts found in our Recipe section. A lovely alternative to butter tarts, this variation is comforting and tasty. Add a swirl of chocolate or some coconut flakes to change things up. Use your own pastry recipe or check out the Queen’s award winning one in the book. Frozen tart shells will work in a pinch.
What elevates this book above many other regional cookbooks is its sense of place. There’s a palpable connection to Nova Scotia’s culinary soul — a blend of simplicity, warmth, and deeply rooted tradition. Reading it, you can’t help but think of those crisp September mornings at the Hants County Exhibition, with the smell of fresh coffee in the air, kids with sticky fingers from cookie judging, and loyal locals swapping tips and stories by the prize tables.
This isn’t a cookbook only for experienced bakers; it’s for anyone who has ever felt the thrill of turning flour and sugar into something worth sharing. Novices will find Strong’s guidance reassuring, and seasoned bakers will rediscover joy in classics they might’ve forgotten they loved. Each recipe feels like a small victory — just like seeing a ribbon pinned beside your entry at the fair. Purchase a copy at https://formac.ca/product/baking-queen-of-the-county-fair/ or win it in our Giveaway section.
Baking Queen of the County Fair is a comforting return to the basics of home baking and communal celebration. Whether you’re a Nova Scotian with fond memories of the Exhibition or a curious baker seeking dependable, nostalgic recipes, this book deserves a cherished spot on your kitchen shelf. It’s a sweet celebration of community, heritage, and the simple, irresistible pleasure of a perfectly baked treat.
Contents and images used with permission by Formac Publishing. https://formac.ca/product/baking-queen-of-the-county-fair/