Both professional and amateur bakers are invited to bring their best cupcakes to the arena at NCACS, where they will compete against one another for fame and prizes. (OK, we can only promise prizes!)
Entry fee for participants is $10.00 per entry plus a minimum of 9 dozen mini-cupcakes.
Our theme for the 2013 challenge is The Candy Bar. There will be seven prize categories including amateur and professional in each of the three flavors, and one Grand Prize winner.
Judging will be overseen by professional sugar artists from the main cake show and members of the community. (If you would like to volunteer as a judge, please email us.)
Baker Registration for 2013 is now closed.
You must choose a flavor category at the time of registration. Registration will close on April 1st, or as categories fill.
- Chocolate (Inspired by any chocolate candy or candybar)
- Hard Candy (Inspired by any hard candy such as mints, lollipops, or cotton candy)
- Chewy Non-Chocolate (Inspired by chewy candies such as Skittles, licorice, jelly beans)
Each entry provides one admission ticket for the baker to the cake show and cupcake challenge. If you enter a second flavor, you will also receive a cupcake challenge admission ticket for a helper. Visit the Baker FAQ for more details on the event.
Timeline
4:00 pm: Baker check-in opens
5:45 pm: Cut off for cupcakes to be submitted for judging
6:00 pm: General admission to the public
6:30 pm: Demo by a Chocolate Artisan
8:30 pm: Event ends/Baker tear-down
The Cupcake Challenge will be held in the “Senior Dining Area” of Fairfax High School. As we get closer to the event we will provide additional information through the Baker FAQ page.
A limited amount of storage space is available for storing cupcakes during the day if you are attending the main show/classes/events. Please email us if you would like to use them on Saturday.
2013 Rules and Regulations for Bakers
NOTE: Additional event information and recommendations are posted in the Baker FAQ.
Please note that failure to comply with the rules/regulations and deadlines set forth in this document will result in disqualification.
REGISTRATION
All registrations will be collected via the online form. No paper registrations will be accepted through the mail without prior approval from an event coordinator.
CUPCAKES / DISPLAY TABLES
Each baker will be assigned to a table space to set out their cupcakes. Attendees will be able to wander from table to table to try each cupcake flavor. Cupcake display materials (stands, decorations, or other props) are encouraged for your presentation area, but not required. These elements will not be judged. Cupcakes and display items must remain available to attendees and judges through the end of the event at 9:30 pm.
Cupcakes submitted for judging must be equivalent to/ representative of the cupcakes which are being made available to the public.
Due to allergy concerns, full ingredient lists must be visible on each table display. Exact recipes are not required. A second copy must be submitted with your cupcakes for judging. No identifying information (name or business name) may be visible on these cards.
A minimum of nine dozen mini cupcakes is required. Bakers will be collecting “tasting tickets” from attendees in exchange for cupcakes. Bakers are expected to be present at their tables for the entire event in order to collect tickets, interact with attendees, and maintain displays. NCACS is not responsible for unattended display materials.
Full size cupcakes will not be admitted or judged. You may distribute mini-sized cupcakes, cakepops, or cake push-pops. Other sizes and varieties must be pre-approved by NCACS.
Promotional materials for businesses and blogs are permitted on the cupcake tables. Please note that additional promotional opportunities (program ads and weekend-long display tables) are available through the main show.
No refrigeration or electrical outlets will be available at tables.
Photos taken at the event may be used for the NCACS websites and for promotion of future events.
COMPETITION
Entries will be judged on overall taste, texture, originality, technique, artistic expression, and overall appearance. Judging will be done by highly qualified judges, and their decisions will be final.
All flavors must reflect the theme to be eligible.
People’s choice ballots will be collected independently of tasting ticket collection. Voting will be for a specific cupcake entry (identified on the ballot by a number) and is not tagged to a baker/individual/business.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
During the cupcake challenge, brochures, business cards, or other promotional materials from bakers MAY identify the baker on the table. Judging will occur in a seperate location where this information will not be seen.
EVENT COORDINATORS
Megan Ferrey & Melissa Westervelt
Cupcake Challenge Coordinators
B. Keith Ryder, Megan Ferrey & Fran Wheat
2013 NCACS Show Directors
and Members of the National Capital Area Cake Show Committee
Questions? Contact is at info@cupcakechallenge.org