If you’ve been perfecting your cake-making skills recently and think you’ve got what it takes to display your masterpieces in a cake competition, then here are some helpful tips to help you prepare for your first cake competition entry:
- Know the Rules
There are many cake competitions, all with different rules for the cakes to be judged. Make sure you read the full set of rules over several times, commit them to memory and don’t be afraid to contact the organisers with questions. There isn’t much worse than spending large amounts of time and effort, not to mention expense, in making a stunning cake that’s then disqualified.
- Who are the judges?
If this knowledge is available beforehand, it makes great sense to do a little research on them before you get started. What techniques do they like and employ themselves? What are their cakes like – simple or with intricate piping? You might be able to guess who the judges are if this information is not available. Who are the most well-known cake decorators in your area?
- Early Preparation
Cake contests are usually announced many months in advance, so you’ve got loads of time to spend getting the right designs down, creating the perfect theme and coming up with original ideas to wow everyone. Plan a timeline with a breakdown of dates for when certain parts need to be completed by. This will help keep you on track. Remember to leave about a week between cake completion and the competition, in case you want to make any tweaks or changes.
- Originality
Don’t be tempted to copy a design you’ve seen elsewhere. Make sure your cake is unique, original and contains elements of techniques you’ve learned but not copycat. This way you can have total confidence and be proud of creating that is so uniquely ‘you’. Always use the finest ingredients and best flavours. For a wide range of flavourings with the ‘wow’ factor, especially Raspberry Food Flavouring, visit http://www.foodieflavours.com/shop/flavours/natural-flavouring/raspberry/
- A Variety of Techniques
Judges will be looking for a cake that demonstrates a mastery of several different techniques. Yes, it’s important to do one or two techniques excellently, but they will also be looking for examples of well-rounded cake-making ability blended into one flowing design.
- Carry a Fix Kit
Transporting a delicate cake is no easy task and accidents happen. An emergency fix-it kit is essential and should contain things like icing, fondant, cake tools and extra sugar decorations.
- On the Day
Arrive early and make best use of the time allowed for delivering and setting up the cake. Relax and make sure you’re happy with everything on your cake, but don’t fret and start fiddling unnecessarily with the finer details of your cake. If you have time, walk around, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your competitor’s cakes.
