SoFlo Cake Competition!

The categories for the 2017 SoFlo Cake Competition have been announced! Yay! Chef Nicholas was instrumental in choosing the categories and will be the lead judge! This year there will be three categories: Wedding Cakes, Theme Cakes, and Non-Cakes! Let me tell you all about it!

In this year’s wedding cake category, competitors will need to design cakes with a cake inspired by the romance of South Beach. Judges will be looking for the luxury, glamour, and exuberance that exemplifies famous Art Deco style of South Beach! The prizes up for grabs in the Art Deco Wedding Cakes Category are divided between professional and semi-professional.

Professional:
First Place – $1,000 Cash & 5-day class* with Chef Nicholas at ISAC in Atlanta
Second Place – $500 Cash & 3-day class* with Chef Nicholas at ISAC in Atlanta
Third Place – $250 Cash & ISAC Product Gift Box

Semi-Professional:
First Place – $500 Cash & 3-day class* with Chef Nicholas at ISAC in Atlanta
Second Place – $250 Cash & 2-day class* with Chef Nicholas at ISAC in Atlanta
Third Place – $100 Cash & ISAC Product Gift Box

Photo: Swank Cake Design, Wayne Steinkopf

For the Themed Cakes, the competitors will need to use their imagination and decorating skills to create a cake that is inspired by the watery world of a mermaid lagoon! Whether your mystical mermaids are swimming the in the briny deep, or lounging warm on the sand, the judges will be using a sharp eye on each of the amazing aquatic entries! I cannot express how much I love mermaids, so I am really REALLY looking forward to seeing the cake created for this mystical mermaid theme! The prizes for this category are the same as in the Art Deco Wedding Cake:

Photo: Artisan Cake Company, Liz Marek

Finally, let’s talk about the Non-Cake category. This is a brand new category introduced this year after hearing lots of requests for all bakers and decorators to be able to compete. The Non-Cake category includes, but is not limited to: Cookies, Cupcakes, Cake Balls or Cake Pops, Individual cake toppers, Gumpaste flowers or sculptures, Pastillage, Pulled and blown sugar or isomalt, Chocolate, and Candy. The theme for this category is the Flora and Fauna of Florida. I am going to include a note from the judges here:

Judge’s Note:
Please be very mindful that in this category, while all types of flora and fauna may
be incorporated into the design, the design composition should be inspired and
built around those flora and fauna native to FLORIDA.

I think this category is going to be the big wildcard this year. There are so many possibilities with all of the different mediums allowed- the designs could be endless! I’m quite partial to pink flamingos and green alligators, and brightly colored hibiscus and birds of paradise- I cannot wait to see what everyone designs and creates! Hmm… do mermaids count as fauna of Florida?!

Pictured above: Sugar Loaf Brigaderia, Susy Pops, and You Can Call Me Sweetie

The prizes for the Non-Cake category are a bit different from those being awarded in the two professional cake divisions; the prizes are the same for the semi- professional divisions:

Prizes:
Professional:
First Place – $750 & 3-day class* with Chef Nicholas at ISAC in Atlanta
Second Place – $450 & 2-day class* with Chef Nicholas at ISAC in Atlanta
Third Place – $250 & ISAC Product Gift Box

*For scheduled advertised class only. Must register for class at least 30 days prior to start date of advertised class. Awarded prize is for cost of class only. All transportation, lodging, and meals are the responsibility of the recipient.*

If you are just as excited as I am about each of these categories and you are ready to register you can click here. The entry fee for each entry in the Professional Division or Semi-Professional Division is $20 for each entry in each category plus the purchase price of one SoFlo2017 entry ticket. Entry fee for Pastry or Culinary students, currently enrolled in a program, is $10 for each entry in each category plus the purchase of one SoFlo2017 entry ticket. A valid student ID must be presented when cake is delivered to the competition. You must also purchase one SoFlo 2017 entry ticket through the website. The purchase time and date will be your official proof of entry. Be sure to bring a copy of your receipt with you when you bring your entry to the Vendor Hall for set-up.

One entry per person, per category. You may enter more than one category, but only one entry per category. Divisions include: Professional and Semi-professional. All registrations MUST BE RECEIVED no later than 5pm on Thursday April 27, 2017. Absolutely no late entries will be accepted.

Good Luck to all the competitors! I cannot wait to see everyone’s finished designs!

ISAC 25th Anniversary Fact: Lunch is ready!

in 1995, Scott began preparing and serving lunch during Chef Nicholas’ classes.