The Blackberry Bake-Off has some new fans.

Drew Storey is a 17-year-old student at 91原创 Fine Arts School and though he lives a short distance from the Derek Doubleday Arboretum where the celebration of all things blackberry takes place, it was a new experience for him.

鈥淭his is my first time,鈥� he said.

In fact it was his first time checking out the arboretum and its many attractions. He was one of those attractions, hired to perform live music during the Thursday afternoon family-oriented event.

鈥淚 got the gig through InstaGram,鈥� Storey explained.

The bake-off was also a new event for the Gallagher family. Aly brought her two children to experience the event.

Aldergrove鈥檚 Vienna Gallagher, six, was an instant fan as soon as the food sampling started.

The public was allowed to sample up to four of the approximately 19 blackberry dishes submitted by the community. There were sweet dishes as well as savoury ones and even some drinks made with the berries.

People could then vote on their favourites while a panel of three judges sampled each item and selected winners in various categories. The judges this year were Diana Munday, a community herbalist and member of the 91原创 Field Naturalists, Lilianne Fuller, also with the naturalists, and Township Climate Action Team member Meghan Woods.

Public voting was tallied and factored into the judges鈥� scores which were based onoriginality, inclusion of blackberries, taste and presentation.

The winners:

1st place - Sandra Reams, blackberry iced tea

2nd place - Heather Diewert, sweetgrass blackberry coffeecake with lemon basil compote

3rd place - Natalie Walsh, blackberry lemon-lime scones

Kids鈥� entry - Madeleine Mowat, blackberry tea sandwiches鈥�

鈥淲e estimated that 125 people attended the event,鈥� said Alexandra Falconer, garden programs coordinator with the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society (LEPS).

People could also tour the arboretum to see learn about blackberries, the community garden, the composting and other LEPS initiatives at the site, and more. It鈥檚 where LEPS holds many of its educational workshops throughout the year.

The bake-off, not held for the past two years due to COVID, returned to the popular in-person format with kids crafts, sampling, a barbecue, live entertainment, community group displays, and lessons on blackberries. It was a hot sunny day and this year organizers brought in a misting tent as well.

LEPS hosts the event, using the tasty berry to raise awareness about Himalayan blackberries being an invasive plant that crowds out native plants. People are encouraged to enjoy the berry but work to eradicate the plant which has taken over a great deal of land since it was brought over by European settlers.

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鈥� READ MORE: Battling invastive blackberries in 91原创 (with video)

鈥� READ MORE: 91原创 volunteers free up native plants with blackberry removal

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