В Лэнгли прошел конкурс выпечки из малины, где гости оценивали десерты и узнавали об инвазивных видах

VIDEO: Brazen berries beguile at Langley’s Blackberry Bakeoff Published 5:45 pm Tuesday, August 25, 2026 Fudge, gummies, turnovers, cake, crepes – blackberries once again proved a versatile fruit based on the more than 20 entries in the annual Blackberry Bakeoff. Blackberry dishes of all sorts were submitted for the annual contest that is part of a festival that while celebrating a very tasty fruit also teaches the public about the invasive plant that is the Himalayan blackberry and other unwelcome plants and animals. Up to about 150 people attended the Blackberry Bakeoff on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Langley Demonstration Garden in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum. It is hosted by the Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) which invites in a variety of other groups, including for the first time this year the Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society. “From LEPS’ perspective, we were really happy with how the event went. It was a great turnout, and it was wonderful to see so many people come out, participate, and enjoy the event,” said Alexandra Falconer, LEPS garden programs coordinator. The public could sample the blackberry dishes submitted by community members and vote on the People’s Choice winner. A panel of judges also choose winners in other categories. “I really enjoyed being here today and it was what I expected. A little bit more than I expected in fact,” said guest judge Al Nemeth. • First: Carol, blackberry elderflower turnovers • Second: Monica, blackberry cupcakes • Third: Erin, blackberry gummies • People’s Choice: Oliver, blackberry fudge • Kids’ category: Nouk and Jade, blackberry crêpes The event also included live music by Vidick, crafts, games, information booths on ecological related topics, and a barbecue. Another judge, former City councillor and Rotarian Rudy Storteboom, “liked them all.” “I liked them all. I really enjoyed the judging. I thought it was special to be invited as a judge and I consider it kind of an honour,” he said. He did have a burger for lunch but left room for the 21 samples of the different blackberry dishes. “It’s my favourite invasive species of all time,” Storteboom said. • READ MORE: Langley celebrates its flighty friends • READ MORE: Local groups partner to earn bee-friendly designation