The 10th Annual Pillsbury Bakers Plus Creative Decorating Competition (CDC) took place live on the show floor of the 2010 International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Twelve contestants were selected by RBA’s regional associations through local and state contests or by RBA CDC Committee selection through a portfolio review process.
Grand Champion, sponsored by General Mills:
1st: Rita Llanso
2nd: Adam Gonsalves
3rd: Sarah Crews
The top three scoring individuals were awarded medals in each of the five sponsored categories. The highest overall scoring individual was named the Grand Champion and awarded the coveted Pillsbury Baker’s Plus Grand Champion Trophy, sponsored by General Mills. The winner will serve as CDC Floor Judge for the competition at RBA’s “All Things Baking” convention in 2011.
Participants were as follows:
Chicago Area Retail Bakers Association – Christel Andrews, Kirsten’s Danish Bakery, Burr Ridge, Ill.
Deep South Retail Bakers Association – Karey Barela, The Ambrosia Bakery, Baton Rouge, La.
Greater Cincinnati Retail Bakers Association - Camilla Smith, Busken Bakery, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio
Greater Southwest Retail Bakers Association - Deena Oden, Rick’s Bakery, Fayetteville, Ark.
New Jersey Baker’s Board of Trade - Annemarie Kane, Food Scene, Inc, Colts Neck, NJ
Ohio Bakers Association - Sarah Crews, Ele Cake Company, West Carrollton, Ohio
Upper Midwest Bakery Association - Keeann Martineau , Jerry’s Bakery, Two Rivers, Wis.
Southeastern Retail Bakers Association – Rebecca Phipps, Freeman’s Bakery, Florence, SC
By Portfolio – Tina Bennett, Vanilla Swirl Cakery, Fairport, NY
By Portfolio – Nancy Sepe, Nancy’s Fancies Cakes, Providence, RI
By Portfolio – Adam Gonsalves, Bristol Community College, Fall River, Mass.
By Portfolio – Rita Llanso, Touche’ Touchet Bakery, Columbia, Md.
A panel of judges determined the results of the competition. This year’s panel includes Gail Kollman, CD, CMB of SuperValue, Fargo, ND acting as Head Judge; Maureen Thie, CD of Cincinnati State Culinary School; Kathy Scott, CD, CMSA of Sweet Expressions Bakery; and Becky Nels Lewis, CD of ele Cake Company and 2009 Grand Champion serving as Floor Judge. Mark Atwood, CD, CMB emceed the live competition.
Other winners:
Flowers and Sprays, sponsored by Chefmaster:
Bronze: Rita Llanso
Silver: Adam Gonsalves
Gold: Cami Smith
Custom Design Cakes, sponsored by DecoPac
Bronze: Rebecca Phipps
Silver: Sarah Crews
Gold: Keeann Martineau
Rolled Fondant, sponsored by Bakery Crafts:
Bronze: Karey Barela
Silver: Nancy Sepe
Gold: Rita Llanso
Sculpted Cakes, sponsored by Satin Fine Foods:
Bronze: Sarah Crews
Silver: Keeann Martineau
Gold: Adam Gonsalves
Wedding Cake, sponsored by Pfeil & Holing:
Bronze: Adam Gonsalves
Silver: Karey Barela
Gold: Rita Llanso
All Things Baking is a new, national trade show that will serve as the industry’s annual marketplace, meeting place and educational forum during the two-year gap in the IBIE rotation. Sponsored by Retail Bakers of America, American Bakers Association and Bakery Equipment Manufacturers Association, this show will be an exciting, high-energy event with educational and exhibit offerings focused on keeping baking and food service professionals on the leading edge of consumer trends. Professional bakers, caterers, restaurateurs, pastry chefs, cake decorators, chocolatiers, bakery directors and other culinary professionals are invited to attend to explore the ever-changing art of pastries, desserts and breads, hone their skills and get the information, answers and strategies they need to make their businesses more productive and profitable.
