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So many of us cakers have asked ourselves this question, " Should I enter the upcoming cake show in or near my area?" So here is my take on it and then I will leave it with you to make up your own minds.
This coming year has bought about many opportunities for me to compete in a cake show, 3 in fact. The first one, well I had good intensions but failed to even get started,lol. So here I am again just a few days away from another cake show and this time I decided yes, I would compete. All kinds of things have gone wrong and I am still not done, but I can honestly say I am excited about it. I can't say 'I am not hoping to win that would be a lie, I think we should all be trying to win. The time and money we put into these pieces is extroadinary and then the cost of getting there and staying at a near location can be quite expensive so I think for me everyone should be putting their best work forward, prize money can really help off set our costs and again it is a competition.
I used to think I had to be a pro for this type of thing but I am learning that is just not the case and now I probably wish I had of entered these shows sooner as now I have to register in a higher category and yes against those I actually consider pro's. But honestly I just want to push myself further, get feedback from those in the industry that I respect and also get my work out there for others to see and in person, not just on a computer screen.
I also firmly believe we should be wanting to keep these shows alive and they wont thrive without the competition side of things. How will they sell tickets to these shows if no one is competing, then it is just classes and that to me would take lots of the fun out of it. I loved seeing all the entries at cakefest and I loved hearing from my friends at 'Austin takes the Cake', 'The National cake show' and 'Cakes International' about their wins and their pieces. These cake shows and competitions keep us in touch with what is new and upcoming and also allows us to venture out of our comfort zones and push our cakes to another level.
I can tell ya I am scared...I don't do string work, or heck for that matter have never piped a border and I know I am up against some people that can do those things brilliantly and also a few friends whose work I truly adore. I just want the experience, and getting feedback from the judges will be worth its weight in gold.
I think if you have ever spoken to someone who has competed that they would tell you it is worth it. I will say the rules are not always clear so make sure if you have any questions make sure you ask before you do your piece. Maybe find others in your area that might want to go, that will also help with cost and make a trip out of it and make a new friend also. Talk to others once you get there, I am sure you are not the only other one scared to death.
So yes I am excited and I will keep you posted, but really I just want the experience. To be in a room full of my peers, full of others that totally get the all nighters and endless emails for Minecraft cakes for $40. These things are priceless... so for me yes we need to be competing, we need to be filling all those tables with as many cakes from as many different cakers as possible. Enter the beginners level and work your way up to the expert category, let's keep these shows alive and keep bringing these teachers to our areas so as we can keep learning.
I challenge you all to do just one this year, why not... what have you got to lose? Heck, start by entering the cakedecor awards #2 : Rainbow cakes competition that is running right now and use that as a starting point.Be brave we will be there to support you all the way! I guess there maybe a part 2 to this next month after I have actually done one, hehehe......
Big Hugs, Shags xoxoxo
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Sharon: Profile on CakesDecor | Curiaussiety Cakes Facebook Page
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