I have noticed in several threads that we have multiple award winning cake bakers/decorators on this site. Not a suprising fact looking at the gallery. Soooo here is my question--- How many CC members have won awards, fairs, or magazine entries? And what advice would you give us newbies as to your success?
Hi,
Well, my skill level is no where near some of the others here but I did win the intermediate division of my State's Fair this year with a 1st place ribbon and a special award ribbon. I also won 2nd place at the cake show in my state for my division too. And those were the only two times I've ever entered so I feel extremely lucky.
My advice is to take your time on your cake. Try to practice it several times before you present and display your final one. For most shows, fairs and such you can use "dummy" cakes made of styrofoam and those work really well. Especially if the cake has to be displayed for any length of time. They judge on techniques and difficulty amongst other things so I really tried hard to do the best I could on each technique I was using.
Try not to copy someone else, but rather take bits and pieces of other ideas to come up with your own.
Hope that helps.
KimAZ
Hi,
Earlene Moore has some info that you might be interested in.
http://earlenescakes.com/cakeshowhints.htm.
I won first place in the adult advanced novelty category at the OK State Sugar Arts Show for my sleeping puppy cake. I think the attention to detail is the most important. Also the board the cake is on is very important. I spent a couple nights just working on my board. I had no idea what I was doing and besides the contest on CC, I had never entered anything before. I entered what I felt I was best at. When I looked around at all the other cakes around mine I didn't think I was going to win. Some of the cakes looked like they took weeks to make and I didn't think there was a whole lot to mine. My point is quality is better than quantity.
Good luck.
Terri
Actually I won First Place (Blue Ribbon) , Best Of Show, Best of Class and Best of Division last Summer in the CA State Fair. Previous to that, I won First Place in the Harvest in the cooking contest..
Look in your newspaper or websites aboutr contests..Wiltons just had one.
Well I couldn't resist looking at everybodys pictures. WOW no wonder you win contest! I know practice makes perfect, but I think you all were just born with talent.
p.s. While practice makes perfect, mistakes are making my hips wide LOL LOL
Your local cake supply store might be able to help you find out what is going on in your area. They would also know if there are any cake clubs nearby.
http://www.ices.org/events/events.htm would also have info.
Unfortunately, I haven't heard of anything going on in Colorado. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Terri
Well my "win" was a small one, Grand Champion at County Fair. The experience was a good one, however, as it made me very meticulous so as not to be humiliated in front of my peers!!!! LOL Fear is a motivater for me.
I agree on the dummy cake idea. I did my entire cake in royal icing for durability. I wish I could say that I took my time.....but in reality, I started about 9:30 pm and finished just after midnight. It was basketweaved, and I hurried like crazy!!!!
It was fun, and I definitely will do it again. Could have gone on to the State Fair but opted not to this time. Next year!
I entered the same show as Kim did and won some awards... I received these tips from one of the judges at the show.. She sent an email to our cake club....
1. Bases:
Use 3 cardboards for a sturdy base - (cake & icing will not
buckle and crack)
Cover bases properly- no floral paper (It contains lead)-
free of wrinkles
It should be the right size: at least 2 inches larger than
cake displayed
2. Icing:
A good clean base is important- should be smooth and proper
consistency
Don't use Rolled fondant and Buttercream on same entry
Proper consistency will help pipe & cover cake well
3. Theme:
Adhere to "Theme" of show easy fix to avoid point loss
4. Attention to Details:
Clean up any icing smears or smudges
Borders will give a finished look
Stencils: clean and smudged free
5. Using Molds:
Clean edges & Thick enough to get all the detail- thin
enough to be delicate
Don't rely on them for all your decoration- Show your skills!
6. Wedding Cakes:
Proportion: Cakes - Should be 3"-4" difference in tiers- (6"-
9"-12") not 6"-8"-10"
Cake topper: Think height (should not be flat)
Bring in theme of show as well!
7. Cutting out shapes:
Keep thickness to a minimum
Clean edges
8. Practice:
Keep working on skills
Give yourself enough time
Have fun!!
TamiAZ-- Thanks for the pointers! I really want to enter a small competition. I need to check and see if there are any locally.
Just curious, how do you all find out the when and where of these competitions. I live in Colorado and have never heard of one around here. Also, do you think all state fairs have a cake competition?
i too am from Colorado and was wondering where they do any competitions... if i find something i'll let you know and vice versa if you'd be so kind!!
I've won several ( 24 ) blue ribbons at my state fair in the professional category for cakes judged for taste, and 7 blue ribbons for decorated cakes.
This was done over 10 years though. I missed it this year due to carpal tunnel surgery, but there's always next year!
Do childhood beauty pageants count??? Hey Chefsaltyblue, I want some recipes... you must be doing something right!
Other than cooking/decorating school and school fundraising competion wins, I've won first place awards in the San Diego Cakes on Parade Cake Show and Contest. It is the largest cake competition in CA. I've won the Sculpting Division for 2003, the Foreign Technique - Marzipan Division for 2005, and the Winner's Circle Division for 2005 (only prior winners' winning work can compete against each other here - the best of the best as it were). I didn't compete in 2004 because I was remodleing my kitchen then. Still trying to think of what I'm going to do this coming year! 
Well, I've just won two awards but they weren't for cakes. In 2004 I took 1st place in the Non-Cakes category for my cookies and then this year I took 2nd place for my hand molded chocolate roses!
I'm brave enough this next competition in March to enter a cake. YIIIIIII!!!!!!
Amy 
Ok Colorado girls....I'm in Kansas, and my youngest is in college at CCU and is REALLY hungry for a good cake. Hows about you guys run a nice cake over to Lakewood!!!!!!! He'll eat any flavor!!![/u]
Will he give me a purty red ribbon saying my cake is the best???
They might even come up with a trophy! LOL 
You all are too funny. This sight offers so much. A wealth of knowledge, great tips, ideas, support ....and comic relief too. Who knew?! What more could we ask for?
I don't think I'm ready to enter any competitions (yet 
) but, I apperciate all of the tips mentioned earlier. They will definitely help me in my quest to better my skills.
I'm in CT and there are several fairs (that I know of - I'm sure there are more) that always have cake contests. Some of them are Agricultural fairs. It's something you can look into in your area. HTH.
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