BLOOMINGTON - Jessie Swiech displayed three lemon madeleines and shared a short history lesson.

The cookies were created by a woman named Madeleine in the 1700s in France, Swiech told judge Darla Heath in the 4-H Foods with an International Flavor exhibit Wednesday at the McLean County Fair.

"You hear all these horror stories. … French cooking overall is not as scary as you might think it'd be," said the 17-year-old Swiech, a member of the Silverleaf Let's Go Ag 4-H Club.

Swiech, of Bloomington, joined 14 other participants whose job was to prepare three cookies or a loaf of bread typical of another country and exhibit a table setting along with a menu for a day's worth of meals. The project was one of many 4-H works judged on the opening day of the fair at Bloomington's Interstate Center.

Heath considered creativity, interview answers and knowledge about the chosen country and eating customs.

"I really want to know that they've researched, found out all that they can … and that we have some authenticity as well as some beauty on the table," Heath said.

Heath liked what she saw with Swiech's project, rewarding her with Best of Class in that event.

In addition to her cookies, Swiech displayed a placemat with her own artistic rendition of a street painting in France. She also included a double-sided menu board with English and French descriptions of such foods as the traditional breakfast croissant and hot chocolate.

Swiech, who also has created displays on China and Ireland in this food category in the past, likes to experience different cultures and food. She's always been fascinated by French culture and will take French 4 in school this year.

Other participants also chose their project topics because of an interest in that country, maybe because that foreign place is in their blood.

"I love Germany," said Christine Pickering of Bloomington. "My grandma always made German food."

The 16-year-old Silverleaf Let's Go Ag member perfected her coconut macaroons after just a few tries and displayed a china setting that was made in Germany.

Elizabeth Alden, 19, of LeRoy, chose Italian cuisine after a trip she took to Rome with her grandparents a couple of years ago.

Alden, a Pride of Sabina member, said she has made everything she included on her Italian menu, except tiramisu. Her dessert of choice was biscotti with an almond and vanilla flavor.

"It's a really simple recipe … and really, really fun, too," she said.