2025 Competition Rules and Information
Table of Contents
That Takes the Cake Sugar Art Show and Competition is open to all cake decorating and sugar art enthusiasts. The competition provides an opportunity to showcase decorating skills, get feedback from our distinguished panel of judges, and win awards and prizes. Included here are important registration deadlines, divisional classification, description of styles, and rules for the Divisional Competition, Tasting Competition, Nicholas Lodge Memorial Sugar Showpiece Competition (“Sugar Showpiece Competition”), and the Special Award Competitions, registration page. Competitors should carefully read the rules and refer to them often as they are completing their entry. Failure to adhere to the rules of a category could result in poor scores from judges.
Competitors should carefully read the rules and refer to them often as they are completing their entry. Failure to adhere to the rules of a category could result in poor scores from judges.
If you have any questions regarding the rules, please do not hesitate to ask us at officers@thattakesthecake.org. Please allow at least 24 hours for a response.
Registration Dates & Fees
All entries must be pre-registered by March 23, 2025, as there is no onsite registration. Competition registration includes general admission to the show for the weekend for the competitor. Competition registration for competitors under the age of 18 includes general admission for the competitor and one accompanying adult admission. There will be no refunds of entry or registration fees.
| DIVISIONAL COMPETITION | FEES |
|---|---|
| Beginner to Masters General Registration ends 03/23/2025 | $25 - includes up to 2 entries, additional entries $5 each |
| Teens Registration ends 03/23/2025 | FREE for up to 2 entries, additional entries $5 each |
| SUGAR SHOWPIECE COMPETITION | FEES |
| Registration ends 03/23/2025 | $25 – each entry |
| TASTING COMPETITION | FEES |
| Registration ends 03/23/2025 | $15 - includes up to 2 entries, additional entries $5 each |
| SPECIAL COMPETITIONS within Divisional and Sugar Showpiece Competition - Innovation, Annual Theme, Sugar Flower Competition | FREE |
| JUNIOR ENTRIES - The junior must decorate the entry themselves. (12 and Under) | FREE – 1 entry per person |
How to Register
Online: Via this website with payment through PayPal
Setup
Entries must arrive and be set up by 10AM Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Check-in and Set-up hours are:
5PM to 8PM Friday, March 28, 2025
7AM to 10AM Saturday, March 29, 2025
Forms
2025 That Takes The Cake Model Release Form
Late entries will not be placed on tables for judging, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Expect queues right before the 9:45 am deadline. You will be required to complete and sign several forms as part of registration on the day, so come with plenty of time to get everything done.
Removal/Tear-Down – Entries will not be permitted to be removed before 5 pm on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
More Information – Email: officers@thattakesthecake.org
Awards
- Junior entries will all be recognized with a medal.
- At the Awards Ceremony, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Divisional Competition entries will be recognized in each division for each style. Award levels are at the judges’ discretion if less than 3 entries per style or as determined based on the criteria and skill level.
- One Best of Division entry will be chosen from each division. The Best of the Divisional Competition will be chosen from the Best of Division winners.
- Trophies, cash, and prizes are awarded to Best of Division and Best of Divisional Competition.
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Sugar Showpiece Competition entries in each Sugar Showpiece Category will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony; 2nd and 3rd place will receive medals and prizes, 1st place will be awarded a medal, trophy, cash, and prizes. The best of the Sugar Showpiece competition tiered & sculpted winners will be chosen from the 1st place entries.
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Tasting Competition winners will be recognized with medals. 1st place winners will receive cash in the amount of $100 and the Best of Tasting winner will receive $250.
- In addition to prize packs, the minimum cash prizes are as follows: Innovation Award $250; Theme Award $250; Best of Divisional Competition $750; 1st Place Sugar Showpiece $250 each (Tiered & Sculpted); Best of Sugar Showpiece Competition winner – $750.
AWARDS CEREMONY
- The Awards Ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 starting at 4 pm at the Bastrop Convention Center. While we do our best to start on time, please understand that situations outside of our control sometimes cause delays, so if you plan to attend the Awards, leave extra travel time that day.
- Ribbons, awards, or prizes not claimed by the close of show will be forfeited. This does not change award results, but the physical goods must be claimed at the show. You may appoint a representative to collect your prizes if you cannot attend the awards ceremony in person.
- The exact nature/style of the medals, trophies, cash, and prizes vary by theme, sponsorship, and donations and are not guaranteed to be the same between Divisions, Categories, or as in previous years. Where possible, we will specify prize information in advance, but in other cases, items may vary.
DIVISIONAL AWARDS/PRIZES
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Divisional Competition entries (from Teen to Masters) will be recognized with a medal in each Division for each Category. Award levels are at the judges’ discretion. If there are fewer than 3 entries per category or the judges decide the entries are insufficient to be awarded high awards, they may decide to only award 2nd and/or 3rd place or no awards at all.
- One Best of Division entry will be chosen from each division.
- Of the 1st place entries in each Category per Division, one Best of Division entry will be chosen and awarded a trophy, $250 cash, and prizes.
- The Best of the Divisional Competition will be chosen from the Best of Division winners and awarded an additional trophy, $750 cash, and prizes.
SHOWPIECE COMPETITION AWARDS/PRIZES
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Sugar Showpiece Competition entries in each category (tiered and sculpted) will be recognized, with 2nd and 3rd place receiving medals and prizes. 1st place will be awarded a medal, trophy, $250 cash, and prizes. Award levels are at the judges’ discretion. If there are fewer than 3 entries per category or the judges decide the entries are insufficient to be awarded high awards, they may decide to only award 2nd and/or 3rd place or no awards at all.
- Of the 1st place entries (tiered and sculpted) will be chosen as Best Showpiece and win a trophy, $1000 cash, and prizes.
TASTING AWARDS/PRIZES
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Tasting Competition entries will be recognized with medals. 1st place winners will receive cash in the amount of $100. Award levels are at the judges’ discretion. If there are fewer than 3 entries per category or the judges decide the entries are insufficient to be awarded high awards, they may decide to only award 2nd and/or 3rd place or no awards at all.
- Of the 1st place entries in each Category, one will be chosen as the Best of Tasting Competition and will receive $250.
OTHER AWARDS/PRIZES
- In addition to prize packs, the minimum cash prizes are as follows: Innovation Award $250, Theme Award $250, Best of Divisional Competition $750, 1st place Sugar Showpiece $250 each (tiered & sculpted), and Best of Sugar Showpiece Competition winner $1,000. Additional special awards may be added each year. Please refer to the special awards section for more information.
General Competition Rules & Information
These rules apply to the Divisional Competition and the Sugar Showpiece Competition
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN RULES ARE BROKEN
That Takes the Cake recognizes that errors and misunderstandings can happen, even amidst good intentions. Although we greatly value artistry and effort, rules are important in order to keep things fair. To that end, we do not disqualify cakes; but if an entry is deemed to have broken a rule, judges may zero out one or more sections of the scoring and may decide to bar said entry from any medal placement. Entries will still otherwise be judged and receive judging comments. The only exception is if an entry is deemed to be in such poor taste, or in violation of our Code of Conduct that it requires immediate removal from the show.
DECORATING
- All entries must be the original design and work of the competitor. Taking inspiration from others’ work and techniques is acceptable, but copies are not acceptable. If judges are made aware of an entry being a copy of someone else’s work, they may zero out the Originality and Creativity part of the score, may choose to reduce or zero out the Judge’s Discretion part of the score, and/or may choose to bar the entry from awards placement. Pop culture or other referenced elements are allowed, particularly in relation to the annual theme (i.e. entries this year representing Video Games may reproduce classic imagery) but the overall entry’s design and how those images are used should be original and creative.
- Entries in the Sculpted Cake Category must be made mostly with real cake (see the Category rules below for specifics). Entries in the Small Bites category must be made with edible media (see the Category rules below for specifics). All other entries may consist of real cake, a substitute (such as cereal bars), or Styrofoam dummies. If a cake substitute or a dummy is used, it must be a design that could be duplicated with real cake. The judges may choose to award more points for real cake if the difficulty level is higher and executed well.
- Ribbons, tulle, etc., may be used to carry out a design. Do not use non-edible items in place of sugar media; for example, plastic pearls instead of fondant pearls. Columns, supports, wires, and stamens are allowed. Cold Porcelain is not allowed. “Edible Images” are allowed and will be judged in context with the entire entry. The use of Disco Dust and other such non-edible but non-toxic media should be limited to portions of the entry that could reasonably be removed, as if the entry were to be served. Please list the brands of dusts used on your Entry Form. (New: Diamond Dust from The Sugar Art is allowed because it is edible.) Pasta is considered edible.
- Food safety practices: all wires, armatures, and non-edible elements that would not normally be considered safe to be in contact with food must be treated in the same way as if the cake is being eaten. Entries made from real cake should use flower picks, wax products, aluminum foil, straws, or other appropriate means of separating non-food safe materials from the cake. Entries made from substitutes or Styrofoam should demonstrate equivalent reasonable care.
- Stable backdrops that fit within your entry’s designated space are allowed provided the following: a) they are secured to your entry so they can’t tip and damage other entries, and b) they do not obstruct the judge’s view of your entry in any way.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Early registration is encouraged to help plan space needs. Although there are no refunds for entries that aren’t brought to the show, if you do register and decide you won’t be bringing your entry, it helps us to plan space if you let us know at officers@capitalconfectioners.com.
- All competitors must sign a Registration and Release Form.
- All competitors must complete an Entry Form (coming soon) where they list what techniques and media they have used, as well as any other information required by their Category or Special Award (i.e. photos for sculpted cakes). This information accompanies entries on the tables and must have no marks or comments identifying the competitor.
- Competitors may write on their Entry Form a request for judges to interact in a limited/reasonable way with their entry, such as turning a handle, flipping a switch, etc. Judges are not obligated to perform this interaction. It will be up to each judge, at their own discretion, how (if at all) they include this interactive portion in the scoring.
- While we encourage entries of new work, entries from other shows are acceptable. Entries from prior years of this Show can only be entered if the entry has been substantially re-worked, and the entry did not receive an award.
- Because we do allow previously used entries as stated above, we cannot prohibit all social media photos. However, in order to protect judges from accusations of favoritism, we strongly discourage anyone from posting photos of entries in the months before the show. Please be sensibly cautious about what you post about your entry to protect yourself and the judges in this regard.
- Entries may be removed after 5:00 pm and until 7:00 pm on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Any entries left after 7:00 pm will be considered forfeited and become the property of the event organizers to be disposed of as necessary.
- Each competitor grants Capital Confectioners a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, and transferable right and license to use, reproduce, create derivative works of, distribute, and publicly display any photos taken by Capital Confectioners staff, volunteers, or contractors.
- Although precautions will be taken, event organizers and sponsors will not be responsible for theft or damage.
- Competitors are responsible for any and all safety issues pertaining to their entries and absolve Capital Confectioners, the show organizers, and sponsors of any liability related to damage caused to persons or property by their entry.
- Each entry must have the competitor name, address, phone number, division, and category on the underside of the base display board. The Entry Form (along with any required in-progress photos) must be placed beside the entry. No personal or business identifying marks, advertisements, etc., will be allowed to be displayed along with the entry.
- Although we try to minimize it, on rare occasions entries need to be moved after placement. The Show Committee and Head Judge reserve the right to move entries if required, and this will be done with the utmost care.
- Judging of the entries will be completed by teams of qualified judges selected by the Show Committee. The judges’ decisions will be final. The judges will complete a comment sheet for each Divisional, Showpiece, and Tasting entry. The comment sheets will be distributed to the competitor after the Awards Ceremony or mailed out to those who do not pick them up. Judging will be conducted in a consensus style.
- Awards will be at the judges’ discretion based on the criteria. There is not automatically a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award.
- The Show Committee enforces policy and procedures. Any issues regarding proper placement, originality, etc., brought to the attention of the Show Committee during the show will be directed to the Head Judge so that a determination can be made. Any entry deemed in poor taste or in conflict with our Code of Conduct will be disqualified and immediately removed from public view. Judges and/or Show Committee have the right to re-classify an entry, if necessary.
Gold 100 – 90, Silver 80 – 89 and Bronze 70 – 79 points.
Divisional Competition Rules & Information
| DIVISIONS – Experience and Skill Level | |
|---|---|
| Teen (13 – 17 years) | Each teen must bake, ice and decorate their own entry. Open to all styles. |
| Beginner | Basic skills. 2 years or less decorating experience; self-taught or less than 30 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction – including online courses. Open to all styles. |
| Intermediate | Developing skills. 2 to 4 years cake decorating experience; 30 to 60 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction – including online courses. Open to all styles. |
| Advanced | More refined skills. 4 to 6 years cake decorating experience; 60 to 90 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction – including online courses. Open to all styles. |
| Professional | High level of skill. Over 6 years of decorating experience. More than 90 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction – including online courses. May be decorating for profit or working as a decorator. Open to all styles. |
| Masters | Expert in sugar art. Is known to have mastered specific mediums and techniques. May be an author, instructor, or work in the sugar art business. Has more than 120 hours of instruction - Class or self-taught. Open to all styles. |
| author, instructor, or work in the sugar art business. Has more than 120 hours of instruction - Class or self-taught. Open to all styles. | |
| Styles – Categories for Divisional Entries | |
|---|---|
| Special Occasion - Novelty Single Tier Cake | Any basic shape, single tier or sheet cake with a theme such as Birthday, Anniversary, Christmas/Holiday, Valentine’s Day, Wedding, Graduation, etc. Any sugar medium or techniques may be used. The tier has a minimum height of 2” and maximum height is 8” with no internal structure. |
| Special Occasion – Novelty Tiered Cake | Cakes with two or more tiers. Can be stacked or tiered with a theme such as Birthday, Anniversary, Christmas/Holiday, Valentine’s Day, Wedding, Graduation, etc. Any sugar medium or techniques may be used. Each tier has a minimum height of 2” and maximum height is 8”. |
| Sculpted Cake | Shaped or carved cakes, 2-D or 3-D cake, and sculptures. Entries must be primarily real cake. Minimal use of cake substitutes such as rice cereal treats or foam is allowed to complete entry. All sugar media are allowed. A minimum of Four (4) in-progress pictures showing the cake carving must be displayed with the entry. Edible and non-edible materials should be kept to a minimum. |
| Buttercream Only Cake | Any single or multi-tiered cake decorated using only buttercream icing. No fondant, non-edible decorations, or other sugar media will be allowed. Rolled buttercream does not count as buttercream in this category. The base board may be covered with fondant/edible material. |
| Special Techniques (Not on a Cake) | Entries in this style include displays of fondant techniques, gumpaste flowers, sugar molding/modeling, color flow, royal icing, Isomalt, chocolate showpiece, etc. A combination of techniques and media may be used, but it must be presented alone and not as part of a cake or on top of a cake. |
| Cookies | All types of cookies are allowed including 3-D designs. Any combination of techniques and/or media may be used. Minimum of four (4) cookies/pieces. Depending on the design, the individual cookies may need to be identified to meet the minimum number. Non-edible materials are not allowed. In-progress pictures of 3D cookie construction are required. |
| Small Bites | A display of a minimum of six (6) cupcakes, cake balls, cake pops, candy, chocolates or etc. A combination of techniques and media may be used, but it must be presented alone and not as part of a cake. These items will be displayed only and will not be tasted. |
DIVISIONS AND STYLES
- Entries are classified by Division (the experience/skill level of the competitor) and Category (the cake structure and type).
- Competitors may enter only one Division but submit as many Category entries in that Division as they choose. You may enter the same Category repeatedly (i.e., competing against yourself).
- Review the Division description and choose the Division that most closely matches your skill level. It is the responsibility of the competitor to accurately and fairly place themselves in a Division. Consideration should be given to other applicable skills; for example, a competitor with an art degree who has worked with clay sculptures for 5 years should be entering in the Advanced or higher Division even if they have only been working with cake and edible media for a short time. Your Division applies to all categories, so if you are an instructor in one area, (i.e., you teach piping techniques, but you rarely do figure modeling), you are in Professional/Masters for all Categories even if you haven’t done much in those other styles. Competitors are expected to choose their Division based on honest self-assessment and not by where they think they can win.
- Competitors must move to the next higher Division once they have won first place in any Category in their Division for 2 consecutive years, or if they won Best of their Division.
- Competitors who compete in other similar competitions should be competing in an equivalent Division, and in no case can enter this competition in a lower Division.
- Children, Juniors and Teens are welcome to submit entries into higher Divisions (or the Tasting competition), if they wish to do so, but they will be charged and judged as an adult entering those same Divisions/competitions. See below for more information about Child/Junior entries.
SIZE AND DISPLAY
- Entries should fit in a 24” wide x 30” deep space. Contact us for approval if the entry is larger. Electricity is not available for divisional entries. Table dressing such as decorative fabrics or mirrors are allowed, but not required. To conserve room for all entries, table dressings should not extend past the allotted space. To conserve space, there will only be 4” between entries.
- Entries may be put under plexi-glass or other such cover, but judges must be able to view the entries without interference. The covering must be able to be easily removed by the judges.
JUDGING
- Judging for the Divisional Competition is not based on taste. Entries are only judged according to the criteria listed in the rules, the judging information sheets, and against only those entries in the same Division and Category. Judges will place all entries in the Divisional Competition into recognition levels that will be posted on cards next to each entry along with the competitor’s name on Sunday morning. The scoring system for the Divisional Competition will be based on the following criteria: Skill and Precision of Techniques (20 pts), Originality and Creativity (20 pts), Difficulty of Techniques (15 pts), Number of Techniques Used (15 pts), Proportion, Balance, and Use of Color (15 pts), and Overall Eye Appeal/Judge’s Discretion (15 pts).
Gold 100 – 90, Silver 80 – 89 and Bronze 70 – 79 points.
JUNIOR ENTRIES
- Junior: 12 and under.
Age is based on the age the child will be at the time of the show, not at the time of registration. - An adult can help bake the cake for a child or junior competitor. The child/junior must then complete decorating the entry themselves.
- To encourage young decorators, each entry will be awarded a “Best of …” title that will be displayed with their entry on Sunday morning, and all competitors will be recognized with a medal at the awards ceremony. Judging critique forms are not completed for child or junior entries.
- Junior entries don’t have size requirements other than fitting into the allotted space. These entries aren’t judged, and we encourage very open and free expression, so don’t worry about proper stacking, filling, etc. other than what the child/junior wants to do themselves.
- For more experienced decorators who would like to compete in the divisional competition, they are welcome to enter as a teen regardless of age and will receive judge’s feedback.
Nicholas Lodge Memorial Sugar Showpiece Competition
Step into the world of gaming with this year’s exciting Sugar Showpiece competition! Competitors are challenged to create stunning sugar art Showpieces that capture the essence of video games. Whether inspired by classic arcade favorites, modern console hits, or retro pixel art, each entry must creatively evoke the theme in a visually striking and edible medium. From intricate characters and iconic landscapes to dynamic gameplay scenes, this competition will showcase how sugar art can bring beloved video game worlds to life. Prepare to wow the judges with your imagination, craftsmanship, and attention to detail!
A Sugar Showpiece is the centerpiece of a special event. Sugar Showpieces are showstoppers that make people wonder if it is really cake and how it was made. You have seen Sugar Showpiece style works of art created on Food Network Challenges, TLC’s Ultimate Cake Off, Cake Wars and Ace of Cakes type shows. A Sugar Showpiece might be for a wedding, 1st, 16th or 80th birthday, a retirement, a baby shower, a corporate event, an anniversary, or any special event. One defining element is that the theme is carefully incorporated into all aspects of the cake and the cake display.
CATEGORIES
Tiered
This is for the more traditional style wedding or tiered special event type cakes, and it must clearly represent this year’s video game theme. The entry must meet height, serving size, and other display requirements detailed below as well as the General Competition Rules detailed above. All standard shaped cakes are acceptable (including, but not limited to: round, square, hexagon, paisley, sphere, hourglass, tapered, and angled). It is acceptable to utilize foam or non-edible pieces to replace standard shapes of cake for the entry. Entries in this category should not include any custom sculpted cake tier components.
Sculpted
This is specifically for sculpted showpieces and must clearly represent this year’s video game theme. The sculpted piece can be the entire entry or a portion of the entry. A minimum of four (4) in-process pictures that clearly show the sculpting and carving of the entry without showing the identity of the competitor must be displayed along with the entry to show the structure. It is acceptable to utilize foam or non-edible pieces to replace standard shapes of cake for the entry. The tiers must be distinguishable as separate tiers; they do not need to have separations, however, not a 24” tall barrel cake. The sculpted components must all be made of edible materials, cake, rice cereal treats, etc. Note that additional points may be awarded for ”difficulty of techniques” used as judging criteria for the use of real cake. The entry must meet height, serving size, and other display requirements detailed below as well as the General Competition Rules detailed above.
In addition to the General Competition Rules, the following rules apply specifically to entries in the Sugar Showpiece Competition.
DECORATIONS
Any sugar medium is allowed.
SIZE
The entry must meet minimum height and serving requirements. The minimum finished height is 24” (not including any base) and the entry must be of sufficient size that it would meet or exceed a minimum of 100 servings of cake.
DISPLAY
Each entry will be displayed on an individual 48” round, standard (29” – 30”) height table.
The competitor will be responsible for providing their own table covering, dressing, and decorating the table. The decoration of the table should complement the decoration of the cake to complete the theme of the entry. Judges will consider all table decorations as a portion of overall eye appeal criteria. If table decorations are made of sugar mediums, that will add into the number of techniques used, originality, creativity, and difficulty judging criteria.
Electricity will be available for the Sugar Showpiece entries only. Please let us know in advance if you need electricity.
JUDGING
Judging for the Sugar Showpiece entries will be based on a point system. 100 maximum points with points awarded based on the following criteria – application of the theme (30 pts), precision of techniques (15 pts), originality and creativity (15 pts), difficulty of techniques (15 pts), number of techniques used (15 pts), and overall eye appeal – judge’s discretion (10 pts). Judges will be placing all entries in the Sugar Showpiece Competition into recognition levels that will be posted on cards next to each entry along with the competitor’s name on Sunday morning. Gold 100 – 90, Silver 80 – 89 and Bronze 70 – 79 points.
2025 Special Competition Award Categories
These special awards are all conducted from within the Divisional Competition & Sugar Showpiece Competition for 2025. Competitors must designate, on their entry forms, if they wish their entry to be considered for one or more of these special awards, and must ensure they are on any lists/timetables as part of the registration process before setting up their entry. Capital Confectioners assumes no responsibility for competitors who fail to ensure they are fully signed up for a special award, or who fail to complete any necessary extra steps such as interviews, information accompanying the entry, etc. Specially selected judges will review the entries and determine winners. The decision of the panel of judges is final, and the awards may not be given out if the panel determines that no entry meets the criteria. The winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony. Competitors for these Special Awards are encouraged to provide in-progress photos or other documentation along with their entry. This documentation along with signage designating the entry as an Award contender will be on display at the table with the entry and must contain no personally identifying information or marks.
INNOVATION AWARD
If, for your entry in the 2025 “That Takes the Cake!” Sugar Art Show and Cake Competition, you have developed a new technique, a new use of an existing medium, or a new tool; you meet the criteria to apply for the That Takes the Cake Innovation Award, which was originally developed at this show. You must submit an actual entry to be judged, and you must meet the judges to discuss your innovation with them at a scheduled time on Saturday, March 30th. Ensure that you have signed up for an interview slot as part of your registration procedure at the show. If you have developed a new tool or product, be sure to bring a sample along to show the judges during your interview, (do not leave it on the table unless it’s part of your actual entry). A team of judges will review the entries in this special cross-divisional category to determine one winner who will receive a cash prize of $250.
ANNUAL THEME AWARD - Sponsored by Over The Top
Each year a theme is announced that is specific for the Sugar Showpiece Competition. With this special Annual Theme Award, competitors in any Divisional Category who apply this year’s theme of “Cake Invaders” (see the complete description in the Sugar Showpiece Rules) can choose to be considered for this award. Judges will be considering the overall statement of the entry to convey the theme. There is no need to meet with judges for this award, but competitors must ensure their Entry Form is marked for this award at the time of registration in order to be considered. Sponsored by Make It Sweet, winners will receive a prize pack and cash prizes of $100 for 3rd place, $150 for 2nd place, and $250 for 1st place.
BEST SUGAR FLOWERS AWARD - Sponsored by JULIA FEDOROVA CAKES
That Takes the Cake is pleased to host Julia Fedorova Cakes Sugar Flower Competition.
Awards:
- $1500 in cash and prizes
Please click here to view the rules for this award. (Coming soon)
2025 Tasting Competition -
Entries are judged on taste including flavor, crumb, texture and density, and appearance but not decorating skill. The entry can include icings, fillings, flavored syrups, fruits, crunches, nuts, coconut, chocolate chunks, etc. Cake mixes cannot be used for any entry unless specified in the description.
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Power Up Your Cake Mix
Unleash your creativity in the Cake Mix Remix competition! Starting with a basic cake mix, competitors will add their own ingredients and flair to transform it into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Whether it's bold flavors, inventive textures, or stunning decorations, this is your chance to take an ordinary mix and make it extraordinary. Bring your best baking hacks and wow the judges with your unique twist on a classic cake base!
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Someone Stole Your Sweet Roll
Roll into the Sweet Roll Showdown, where competitors craft irresistible, from-scratch sweet rolls! Whether it's a classic cinnamon swirl or a bold new flavor creation, competitors will be judged on their dough’s texture, filling creativity, and overall deliciousness. From gooey centers to perfectly golden exteriors, it’s all about creating the ultimate sweet roll that’s sure to delight the judges’ taste buds!
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Common Ingredient -- Coffee/Tea
In this caffeine inspired competition, competitors will craft delectable baked goods featuring the rich flavors of tea or coffee. From delicate Earl Grey-infused pastries to bold espresso-laden desserts, this challenge is all about showcasing how brewed beverages can elevate a sweet treat. Let your creativity steep and brew up something extraordinary that captures the essence of tea or coffee in every bite!
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Game-On Cookies
Level up your baking in the Game-On Cookie Competition! Competitors will craft delicious, creatively decorated cookies inspired by their favorite video games. From pixelated designs to iconic characters and worlds, each cookie must capture the essence of gaming in a fun and edible way. Whether you're a fan of retro classics or modern hits, this competition is your chance to bring video game magic to life—one bite at a time!
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Candy Crush
Show off your sweet skills in the Candy Game Creations competition! Inspired by your favorite video games, you'll craft candy creations that bring beloved characters, scenes, or elements to life. Whether you choose chocolates, gummies, caramels, or any other type of candy, the challenge is to make something as delicious as it is game-worthy. No flour required—just pure, edible creativity! Each entry should include one display with 10 pieces to wow the judges and fellow gamers alike.
Entering the Tasting Competition
- Each entry can only be placed in one Category. For example, if your cookies contain the common ingredient, you must decide to place them either in Common Ingredient or Cookies but not both. You may submit multiple entries into one or more Categories (i.e. you may compete against yourself), but each recipe can only be submitted once.
- The recipe must accompany the entry. The entry and the recipe become the property of the Capital Confectioners and the Show. Recipes submitted must be the original creation of the competitor and the recipe must not have been published previously in the same or substantially the same form. Competitor cannot have won prizes or awards in other contests for the submitted recipe. The recipe must be printed on a standard 8.5″ X 11″ sheet of paper with no identification as to the competitor.
- Entries can be brought between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Friday, March 28, 2025 and 7:00 am to 9:45 am on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
- Please note that all entries will be stored at room temperature only. Do not submit any entries that require refrigeration.
- Judges reserve the right to disqualify any entry that they deem to be potentially unsafe to eat.
- Judges will determine a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner for each category but are at their discretion to assign fewer awards if the number/quality of entries isn’t high enough.
- Entries, platters/plates, etc. will not be returned – please place the entry on a disposable plate.
- Competitor further understands that their recipe may be used in whole or in part by Capital Confectioners for any advertising or promotional purposes whatsoever, in any and all types of media with no compensation for such usage. The competitor’s name will be included along with the recipe whenever a recipe is published.
Tips/Best Practices for all Divisions
These are tips for competing in a general sense but aren’t strict requirements. However, you will find that judges look for these things, and you earn more points if you follow these suggestions wherever possible.
- Watch for fingerprints, nail marks, tool marks, uneven icing, or other general neatness issues. Clean up any rough edges from cutters. Use a ruler/straightedge regularly when you decorate. Use templates for circles to keep them round. Never assume the judges won’t notice that little thing, because that little thing is exactly what the judges will see first. Clients don’t notice small errors, but judges do! Cleanliness of work is a large part of what separates Beginners from Masters, so if you’ve gone up a Division, up your game accordingly.
- If you are applying for a Special Award that requires an interview with judges, as soon as you sign up for your interview slot, set your phone alarm to go off five minutes before that so you have time to go stand beside your entry.
- Cover your board with fondant or another medium (i.e. in Buttercream Only, you would have to use buttercream). Even pretty foil is considered to be less “finished” and displaying less skill. If your board has an edge, put a ribbon around it. If the underside of your board is visible (i.e. in floating tiers), cover it, decorate it, hide it, or somehow make it look integral to the design instead of just sticking out as an obvious board.
- Hide your structure unless there’s a very good design reason not to. Judges should not see uncovered PVC pipe frames, metal supports, skewers, etc. unless they are part of the design (i.e. decorative pillars). If you want judges to see something special you’ve done with your internal support, provide photos with your Entry Form.
- Use your Entry Form to let judges know anything you want them to know, as long as it’s not going to identify you. Explain your concept, highlight your innovation, describe the thing you’re worried they won’t understand. Use respectful, formal, informative language. You may add extra sheets, if needed, although there’s no guarantee judges will read every word beyond the main sheet so keep it brief. We will provide a link to this sheet in the email confirmation that goes out with your registration, so you can complete it in early and not risk forgetting to list something. Most people do it at the show, and that’s fine, but if you feel stressed on the day of the show, do yourself a favor and fill out this sheet calmly in advance.
- Dummies should be treated as real cake whenever possible. If a judge thinks, “Well that’s nice but you could never make that with real cake,” you are likely to lose points. Your primary reasons for using dummies should be weight/transportation and to avoid spoilage, not to avoid having to decorate real cake.
- Judges are always looking for greater edibility, because it takes more skill. So even though your entry isn’t going to be eaten, keep in mind that judges are scoring as if it was real cake at a real event. If your design incorporates inedible elements, they should either be easily replaceable with edible elements (i.e. using a dummy instead of real cake) or be easily removed (i.e. a spray of wired flowers that can be lifted off). If you wrap satin ribbon all around your cake instead of making an edible ribbon, judges will see that as a barrier to serving even though the cake will never really be served.
- Using more techniques gets you more points, but only if you do them well. You will score more highly with three perfectly executed techniques than fifty mediocre ones. Similarly, our show loves innovation and the pushing of boundaries, but only if it’s done well. A new technique done sloppily will not increase your score. Perfect your techniques to the best of your ability before adding them to your entry.
- Any entry has a better chance than no entry, especially in the lower Divisions, and you can learn a lot from judges even if you don’t place. Don’t get discouraged and think your entry isn’t good enough to bring, even if you didn’t finish it to your original plan. Bring it anyway, let the judges comment on what you did get finished, and use it as a learning experience for next year. Plus, we’ve had multiple medal winners over the years who brought an entry they didn’t think was worth much, so take a deep breath, bring what you’ve got, and let us all celebrate your achievement together.
- Your goal should never be to win. Your goal should be to push yourself to make something amazing that you want to share with the world.
Corrections/Errata/Answers to Questions
Capital Confectioners reserves the right to edit/correct these rules as necessary up to the registration deadline of 11:59 pm CST, March 24, 202. 5 All edits will be listed and dated below. If we send out answers we deem worthy of inclusion in these rules, we will also list and date those answers below. Any errors or questions after the deadline will be recorded to assist with next year’s rules.