Winners In 2022 Hallockville Country Fair's Jam, Honey Contests

RIVERHEAD, NY — It was the sweet taste of success for the winners of this year's jam and honey contests at the Hallockville Museum Farm's Country Fair competitions.

Long Islanders from Southold to Belle Terre earned bragging rights on Sunday when their locally-produced products were declared winners in the 2nd Annual Hallockville Jam and Honey Contest Sunday at the Museum Farm’s 41st Country Fair.

A total of 11 jams and seven honeys were entered into the competition, organizers said. A six-judge panel participated in two blind-tastings — a preliminary round on September 2 and a final round at the fair on Sunday. Judges rated the entries on appearance, aroma, taste and consistency.

In addition, honey entries were assessed for moisture content by Master Beekeeper Chris Kelly.

In the jam category, the winners were:

First Place: Laura Klahre of Southold, for her red raspberry-blood orange jam

Second Place: Cara Hallock of Southold for her plum, peach, and blueberry jam

Third Place: Cara Hallock of Southold for her strawberry-rhubarb jam

Honorable Mention: Laura Klahre of Southold for her blueberry-beach plum jam

This is the second year that Laura Klahre, who operates Blossom Meadow Farm in Cutchogue, has taken home top honors in the Hallockville competition.

“It feels fabulous,” Klahre said, after her win. “Jamming is a time-honored tradition. I jammed as a child and this takes me back to my childhood.”

First-time contestant Cara Hallock shared the same enthusiasm for jam-making. “I love summer because of the fruits — from strawberries through to apple season. It’s awesome to win, but getting to eat the jam is even better.”

In the honey category, the winners were:

First Place: Kelly Brennan of Riverhead

Second Place: Edward Lessard of Belle Terre

Third Place: Toni Arno of Calverton

Honorable Mention: Donna Schiavetta of Mattituck

Honorable Mention: Hallockville Museum Farm of Riverhead

Second-place winner Edward Lessard and his wife were thrilled to claim second place honors, immediately phoning family and friends to share the news.

The judges said they savored the competition, too — every spoonful Yet they agreed while it was a plum assignment, it was not an easy task.

“Judging was much more difficult than I expected,” said broadcast journalist Bill Ritter. “Sometimes the aroma was better or weaker than the product’s taste.”

His wife, Kathleen Friery, agreed, adding that she found judging the honeys to be harder than the jams. “The honeys I liked had more distinct aromas and viscosities.”

Marissa Drago, owner of Main Road Biscuit Co. restaurant in Jamesport, reflected on the variety of jam entries. “I really liked that they were all so different,” she said, discussing ways in which the competing jams could be used in cuisine.

Restaurateur Anthony Martignetti also added his own twist. “I muddle jams as a base to make cocktails. I can envision using some of the entries that way.”

“Part of Hallockville ‘s mission is to take Long Island back to its family farming roots and making fruit preserves and honey are practices that go back centuries,” said Hallockville Museum Farm Executive Director Roberta Shoten. “We are excited to celebrate these farm-to-table traditions during our authentic country fair.”

To see Patch's full gallery of photos from the Country Fair, click here.