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HAMILTON — Butler County Fair Judge Carla Metzler took a bite of the Key Lime pie in front of her.

"Good job," she said. "That's not an easy recipe to make."

"No it isn't," said Roger Rose. The Hamilton man was one of five who participated in the annual men's bake-off at the fair on Thursday, July 24.

Rose won Best of Show for his entries, which included an Italian cream cake, Key Lime pie and maple nut cookies.

While he has cooked for most of his life, the 58-year-old began baking three years ago and never looked back.

Rose also won first place in the general baking competition for his butterscotch pie. He credits his win to a mishap.

"I messed up the crust and made a new one with graham crackers," Rose said. "I figured I would get disqualified, but I actually won because of that."

Like any other hobby, baking is a way to meet new people and relax, said Cliff Poppel. The 51-year-old Hamilton man won blue ribbons for his regular and nut breads in the baking competition.

"Maybe men aren't as inclined to bake, but I get to meet a lot of great people and enjoy what I make," Poppel said. "Who doesn't like to eat?"

The men's bake-off is unusual because women are much more likely to enter culinary items at the fair, Metzler said, adding that many men did not grow up baking.

The competitors were true professionals, she said.

"They didn't slack off or try to do easy recipes," she said. "Every single recipe was difficult, and I was really impressed by them."

Rose said he bakes out of enjoyment and not for the medals and ribbons.

"It's relaxing and something I enjoy," he said. "Or at least it was until I threw my tongs after too much baking last night."

He may have another motive.

"It makes my wife really happy because I do most of the cooking around the house," he said.