Now, we don't have many cake competitions in this area... so the one I look forward to every year is the Connecticut Cake Competition! I'm a little late in letting you all know, but this years competition is coming up in just a few weeks! The weekend of February 16th and 17th you can head over to the Hartford Marriott Downtown for this fun event!
If you would like to enter a cake, there is still time to pre-register (by February 2nd online or February 6th by mail), but entries are accepted at registration. There are divisions for all levels from beginner to professional... there is even a youth division, if you are under 17 (or your child is) and you want to submit something!
This years theme is "Sugar Fiesta!" Entries are judged on there own merit, but the best of each division is awarded a trophy... and there is a $1000 value grand prize for the winner of the Wedding Cake division!
I participated in the Connecticut Cake Competition the past two years... I am very disappointed that I don't think I will be able to enter this year (I'm moving and then I have another cake event I am committed to the week before the competition). Last year I had conflicting commitments and ended up submitting a cake that wasn't finished and that I wasn't happy with (see it here), though I still managed to earn a 3rd place ribbon. I really don't want to enter something I wasn't able to give my best effort to, so unless I can figure out some miraculous scheduling I'll probably just attend to see everyone else's beautiful creations!
The first year I entered, CCC 2011, was the most exciting! I had only been decorating cakes a few months and entered at the beginner level. To my amazement, not only did they move my entry up to the Advanced Division, but I won a first place ribbon AND the Division Trophy!
This is my winning entry from my first competition, the theme was "A Touch of the South!"
Competitions are so much fun! I highly recommend that, regardless of skill level, you enter a competition if cake decorating is a passion of yours! Even if you are not local to New England or able to attend the Connecticut Cake Competition. Check out what your area has to offer (cake clubs like your local ICES branch are a good place to start)!
Even if you aren't a cake decorator, or just don't want to enter you can still attend! The Connecticut Cake Competition is open to the public. It's fun to just go look at the entries, but they also have many events going on all weekend. You can sign up for workshops or demonstrations, they have a live "challenge" and last year they even had the 4 finalists from TLC's "The Next Great Baker"!
Check out the Connecticut Cake Competition website for information on rules/regulations, as well as registration or admission fees!
Happy Caking :)
