"Ed Bechtel" > wrote in message =
...

> ... recipe contest ... I sent in Sourdough Kalamata Olive Pepper=20
> Jack bread recipe ... I am a finalist... Does one cut the bread in=20
> advance?

I never entered a contest, but every now and then I take in a couple of
loaves to the folks where I used to work. It is quite amazing to see=20
how they will butcher and/or tear up an uncut loaf, even though I have
left cheap serrated knives and bread boards there from time to time.

My recommendation: cut several slices in advance, maybe up to
half the loaf. Package the bread, particularly the slices, so drying
out does not occur. Bring an attractive bread board.

(An electric knife can, in the right hands, cut quite beautiful slices, =
even
if the loaf is still a bit soft, which I think it should be, though =
perhaps
not everybody would agree.)

> Should one include a spread?

A bit of butter with a cheap spreader might be good. It should be
attractively packaged in a disposable container. Like the bread board,=20
it might or might not be put into play.

So I guess you will post a picture of your entry/presentation before it
is ravaged by the judges?

---
DickA