The CupCAKE Contessas, Marylee Dixon (left) and Karianne Polak (right), 1st Place Winners of RI Food Fights Great Cupcake Championship 2014
The first Rhode Island Food Fights event of 2014, the Great Cupcake Championship, was held this past Sunday, March 9th at Fête in Providence. Thirteen area bakers specializing in cupcakes competed to see who had the best, according to a panel of six culinary judges (which included this writer), along with competing for the People’s Choice. Three trophies, created by Ahlers Designs, were awarded to the winners.
According to judges, David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI, Jan Dane of Stock Culinary Goods, Shawna Lawton of Project Undercover, Chef Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Julius Searight of Food4Good and Chef Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, first place went to The CupCAKE Contessas for their Mexican hot chocolate cupcake. Judges’ second place went to new competitor, Patticakes of Wakefield, for their Sweet Corn cupcake. People’s Choice was awarded to Woonsocket’s Under the Olive Tree, for their Nutty Monkey cupcake. It is Under the Olive Tree’s second win in the People’s Choice category after taking it at The Spectacular Cookie Smackdown in December. Congratulations to all the winners.
The CupCAKE Contessas winning entry, a Mexican Hot Chocolate cupcake
RI Food Fights was created and produced by Jim Nellis. John Taraborelli and Mike Ritz entertainingly hosted the event.
