The 3rd Annual Ultimate Cake Decorating Competition was held at the Mall of America on Sunday, October 25.
In the Halloween monster cake category, Cheryl Romanowski from Sweet Memories of Thorpe, WI won first place and a 5 day cake decorating class from Julie Bashore's School of Cake Decorating. Her prize also includes airfare and hotel reimbursement to attend the class in Lancaster, PA.
The team of Laura Englerth and Teara Myers from Lunds/Byerly's in Bloomington are sharing a $1000 cash prize for their winning wedding cake entry in the Fantasy Wedding Cake Category.
This year's competition was limited to the top 12 entrants in the Halloween "Monster Cake" Category and top 9 teams in the Fantasy Wedding Cake Category. Contestants from the five state area entered by portfolio. The competition is limited to professional cake decorators who are members of the Upper Midwest Bakery Association or the Retail Bakers of America.
The contest which was held in the East Rotunda of the Mall of America is sponsored by the Upper Midwest Bakery Association and their vendor partners. This year's sponsors included General Mills, Bakery Crafts, DecoPac, Dawn Foods, Best Brands, Brill, Lindar, Coborn's, Cold Spring Bakery and Julie Bashore's School of Decorating.
Second place winners received $500 in cash and third place received $150 Bakery Crafts gift certificates. In the Halloween contest, 2nd place was won by Robyn Hanisch of Hanisch Bakery and Coffeeshop in Red Wing, MN and 3rd place went to Gretchen Canada from Central Market in Bismarck, ND.
In the wedding category, the team of Monica Iverson and Allison Hoyne from Cakes by Monica in Vermillian, SD took second. Third place was Katherine Anderson and Jody Franek from Byerly's in Eagon, MN.
The event was emceed by Sue Zelickson of Minnesota Monthly magazine. Along with the contest, the UMBA offered a children's cupcake decorating activity which allowed children of all ages a chance to decorate their own cupcake. Over 500 children participated.
For more information, contact
Lynn Schurman
Contest Chair, UMBA
320-685-8681
