Cupcake Competition

This past April I was fortunate enough to attend a figure modeling class taught by Silvina Barboza. The class was sponsored by Diane Shavkin of The Magic Touch. Diane is best know for her gumpaste miniatures and her puffed embroidery technique. This September, Diane is hosting a cupcake competition in Beacon, NY. Beacon is about a 2 hr. ride from the Wilkes-Barre area out I84 through Matamoras, PA and just across the Hudson River.

The competition is scheduled for Saturday, September 17th at St. Joachim's School, 60 Liberty Street, Beacon NY from 9am to 5pm. Classes will begin on Friday, September 16 in McKinley Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Beacon NY at 4:30pm. There is a great assortment of classes and the cost is very reasonable. The profits from the competition are going to the First Presbyterian Church to be used for those in need and there will be an additional fundraiser for Zoe's Foundation benefiting 6 yr. old Zoe who is the daughter of a fellow cake decorator and has a rare form of cancer. Here is a list of what is being offered and you can obtain more information at http://www.shavkin.com.
                                                   
                     

                           Buttercream Flowers; Sheila Miller                             
                           Jack-O-Lantern Cake; Kim Simons
                           Lace Painting; Betty VanNorstrand
                           Buttercream Figure Piping; Sheila Miller
                           Painting Trocan Bird; Kim Simons
                           Painting Koi; Alexandra Parker
                           Buttercream Shape Cupcakes; Sheila Miller
                           3D Color Flow; Jo Ellen Simon
                           Kids 4-6; Back to the Barn; Carolina Lara
                           Kids 7-12; The Fairy Bear; Carolina Lara
                           Pastillage Heart Box; Jo Ellen Simon
                           Gold Fish and Coral; Linda Milea

The competition on Saturday has several different catagories and you can pick which ever one you feel comfortable with or just come and browse. The tasting competition has four catagories: chocolate, fruit, vegetable and filled. You can enter one or all four. The decorative competition also has several different catagories which include buttercream, sculpted, centerpiece and tiered wedding cupcake cake. The theme for the competition is "Love in the Tropics". I can't wait to see the entries. Personally, I'm entering the tasting competition in the fruit catagory. This is my first tasting competition and so we'll be eating a lot of practice cupcakes between now and then.

The Ramada Conference Center in Fishkill, NY is offering a special rate of $99.00 per night for those of you who are interested in attending both days. The promo code to obtain the special pricing is on Diane's site.

I hope some of you will consider attending. If you've never been to a competition or taken any classes, you will have a great time. Cake decorators are the best people in the world and are always happy to share their knowledge.