Third Annual Amateur Haunted Cupcake Competition - Results!
Chicago, Illinois (November 6, 2009) – Twenty-five spooktacular cupcake creations from enthusiastic amateur bakers of the Chicagoland area gathered at Whole Foods in Lincoln Park on Saturday, October 24 in Pastry Chicago’s third annual amateur competition. Sponsors, such as KitchenAid, donated prizes for this year’s event including the limited-edition KitchenAid 90th Anniversary Mixers for the first place winner.
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This year, competitors were given the challenge to create “haunted” cupcakes using Plugrá European-Style Butter, King Arthur Flour, Nielsen Massey Vanilla, and Cacao Barry chocolate products, all ingredients found at Whole Foods. Contestants were judged not only on their Halloween-themed decorations, but also taste, texture, decoration, and professionalism.
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Volunteering as judges this year were John Montanile, Chair of the Baking and Pastry Department at CHIC, ASM Chef Instructor Gloria Hafer, Linda Rosner, Chef Instructor at Lexington College, Kris Swanberg with Nice Cream, and Masina Ategou, Bakery Assistant Team Leader at Whole Foods.
“I was just amazed at the imagination at work in this competition,” said Chef Linda Rosner, CEC, CHE, Culinary Arts Director at Lexington College and President of the American Culinary Federation Windy City Chefs Chapter. “The contestants did a phenomenal job; it was very exciting, and the theme was just so much fun!”
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While the judges viewed and tasted the cupcakes and tallied scores, the competitors and guests observed a demonstration by Chef de Cuisine and Instructor at The French Pastry School, John Kraus. For spectators, Whole Foods patrons, and cupcake competitors Chef Kraus presented a decorative showpiece made out of bread.
Following the demonstration, reception and networking time in the Whole Foods café, the five winners of the competition were announced. Fifth place was awarded to Nicole Betourney for her Caramel Drizzle Cupcakes; fourth place went to Alejandro Zamora and his Simply Chocolate Cupcakes; Monica Schumacher and her Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcakes took third place; Estrellita Lopez won second place with her Chocolate Orange Cupcake; and first place was awarded to Chris Perchatsch for his Chocolate Chip Pumpkin cupcakes.
“The Haunted Cupcake competition really brings out some interesting ideas and tests what you can do with pastry,” said Renée Bohus, Assistant Director of Pastry Chicago. “Every year we’re surprised at what the competitors bring to the table.”
Pastry Chicago will host its Fourth Annual Student Gingerbread Competition on December 12, 2009 at the Westfield Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, Illinois. More details will soon be available at www.pastrychicago.org.
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For more information on Pastry Chicago, please visit www.pastrychicago.org, or contact
Anne Kauffmann
The French Pastry School
312.726.2419 ext.207
akauffmann@frenchpastryschool.com
www.frenchpastryschool.com
Rules and Regulations:
- Contestants must submit a total of 12 cupcakes: six decorated cupcakes for judging and six decorated cupcakes for display.
- All cupcakes must be submitted at the time of registration, six cupcakes will be displayed for you and six cupcakes will be presented to the judges for tasting. Cupcakes must represent the theme of chocolate.
- Cupcake recipes must be submitted with the cupcakes (if no recipe is submitted your cupcakes will not be judged).
- Cupcakes will be served cold. No baking is done on premises.
- All contestants must use the following ingredients, but are not limited to only these ingredients: Nielsen Massey Vanilla, Plugrá European-Style Butter, King Arthur Flour and Barry Callebaut Chocolate. All of these items can be found at your local Whole Foods store.
- Each entry must be the sole work of the entrant.
- All cupcakes and decorations must be edible.
- All entries must submitted for judging by 2:00 pm (begin to arrive at 1:30 pm).
- Pastry Chicago and Whole Foods are not responsible for any items left behind at the end of this event.
- Download the Registration Form.
For information on becoming a participant of the competition or should you have any questions please contact Lindsay Koriath at info@pastrychicago.org, 312.726.2419 ext.208.
