The annual Blackberry Bake-off proved once again this year how versatile the plump tasty berries are but also helped educate people about the problems they can cause.
The bake-off is a fun way to get people thinking about the invasive Himalayan blackberry which crowds out local vegetation.
The event is also a casual family-oriented gathering that included tastings of almost 30 dishes entered in the bake-off, live music, kids crafts, a barbecue lunch by the Nicomekl Enhancement Society, and an open house of the Langley Demonstration Garden.
And since it was a bake-0ff, there was judging of the submitted culinary creations and prizes.
First: Nicola Van Der Laars and Hazel Hackault (mother and daughter) with a toasted rosemary blackberry almond tart
Second: Carol Osbourne with blackberry lemon bar
Third: Darlene Shirwin with blackberry maple jam
People’s Choice: Pam Totten-Nguyen with a blackberry white chocolate bread pudding
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The garden and the event are overseen by the Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) which also has community garden plots on the site in the 21200 block of Fraser Highway.
LEPS is an environmental group funded by the Township and City. In addition to hosting events such as the bake-off, it offers stewardship programs, liaises with other local groups on environmental issues, and offers programs for all ages.
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