National Cupcake Championships 2011

Monday 15th August 2011 - National Cupcake Championship FINALS day!!

After a weekend with my best friends in Weston-super-Mare I had to prepare myself on Sunday evening for a nerve-wracking, yet very exciting Monday morning.....

A short taxi ride from South London to the ICA near Trafalgar Square where I registered my 12 identical 'All American' Cupcakes and set up my display with an example of my packaging. I had been chosen for the 'Best Presented' category and 'Best Tasting Cupcake'. Next, a cup of tea and sit down whilst all of the finalists started to arrive....

Around 10am we were taken to a kind of lecture theatre, where we were given demonstrations and talks from sponsors of the event. We then had a talk from David Muniz and David Lesniak - the founders of Outsider Tart - a London based bakery. They were so amazing and inspiring, honest and helpful. Everything they said had gone through my head, and to hear someone in the industry coming across the same challenges that I have was so encouraging. I can't wait to buy their book 'Baked in America' - their whoopie pies were so yummy! (yes we got samples!!!)

We were then directed upstairs to where all of the finalists Cupcakes had been judged by Eric Lanlard, Peggy Porschen, Lily Vanilli and other famous bakers and patissiere's. I felt proud to be a part of an event with such amazing and talented people.

The awards were announced, and even though I didn't win, I was still so honoured to have been chosen as a finalist. I hope the judges enjoyed my Cupcake, and hopefully next year I will be lucky enough to be selected again. Fingers crossed for 2012.....