California Canning & Baking

Jam and pie. Canning and Baking Photo - Square

The Canning and Baking Competition at the CA State Fair & Food Festival is an exciting opportunity for home bakers and canners to showcase their skills and compete for awards. Participants will have the chance to demonstrate their creativity and originality by submitting their best homemade specialties for judging. Don’t miss your chance to be recognized as one of California’s top home bakers or canners!

California’s best adult & youth home bakers and canners, submit your home-made specialties to be judged live at the California State Fair. Adult & Youth Competitions are now combined into one handy competition guide and online application.

How to Enter

Check the guide for full instructions on how to enter.

2023 Canning & Baking Competition Guide

2023 Special Contests Recipe Form

Enter Now

Michelle Johnson

Canning & Baking Coordinator

(916) 263-3189

canningandbaking@calexpo.com

Competition Dates

Dates Information
April 25, 2023 Online Registration Opens for Entries
June 21, 2023 Entries Close Online 11:59 pm
July 12, 2023 4:30 pm – Shipped canned entries due
July 13, 2023 7:30 – 10:30 am – Delivery of Decorated and Canning Shows (Adult & Youth)
Judging of Decorated Show (closed judging session)
July 17, 2023 7:30 – 9:30 am – Delivery of Bread Show and Dried Show
11:30 am – Judging of Bread Show
Judging of Dried Show
July 18, 2023 11:30 am – Judging of Jam Show
July 19, 2023 11:30 am – Judging of Jelly Show
Judging of Soft Spread & Fruit Show
July 20, 2023 11:30 am – Judging of Pickle & Vinegar Show
Judging of Sauce & Salsa Show
July 24, 2023 7:30 – 9:30 am – Delivery of Cake, Pie & Pastry Shows
11:30 am – Judging of Cake Show
Judging of Pie & Pastry Show
July 25, 2023 7:30 – 9:30 am – Delivery of Youth Canning, Baking & Dried Shows
11:30 am – Judging of Youth Baking Show
Judging of Youth Canning Show
Judging of Youth Dried Show
July 26, 2023 7:30 – 9:30 am -Delivery of Cookie, Confection Shows
11:30 am – Judging of Cookie Show
Judging of Confection Show
July 27, 2023 7:30 – 9:30 am – Delivery of King Arthur Flour Snickerdoodle Derby, Guittard Chocolate Passion contest (Adult & Youth)
11:30 am – Judging of King Arthur Flour Snickerdoodle Derby
July 30, 2023 3:30 pm – Award Presentation of Best of Show & Sweepstakes Winners (Cooking Theatre, Building B)
Aug 5, 2023 9 am – 5 pm – Canning & Decorated Show Pick Up, Awards Pick Up (Expo Center Buildings)

Divisions & Classes

Please view the guide for full divisions and classes.

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