The Retail Bakers of America’s (RBA) 21^st Annual Pillsbury Bakers’ Plus Creative Cake Decorating Competition will once again take place September 17-21 at IBIE (International Baking Industry Exposition) 2022, shining a light on the world’s top professional cake decorators.

“Beautiful cakes are made of much more than flour and sugar—they also require passion, ingenuity, attention to detail, and a wide range of technical abilities,” says Lynn Schurman, RBA education director. “As IBIE gathers the global baking industry together, it provides the perfect platform for recognizing and celebrating this art form. We’re delighted to offer an opportunity for elite professional cake decorators to showcase their talents in front of their community and gain the recognition they deserve. A timed competition for an at-home television audience is one thing, but to do so in front of a live audience comprised of pastry chefs, decorators and bakers takes extraordinary poise.”

Hosted in the RBA Bakers Center on the IBIE show floor, the in-person event will feature six teams of two competing in four categories, including: wedding cake, rolled fondant, buttercream and a hyper-realistic “Everything is Cake” category.

Attendees will have a front row view to the event, which will feature celebrity and master baker judges such as Jorge Amsler, Kathleen Lang and more to be announced. The panel of judges will determine the highest-scoring team, which will receive the coveted Pillsbury Baker’s Plus Grand Champion Trophy. Gold, silver and bronze medals, along with cash prizes, will also be awarded for the highest three scores in each category.

Acclaimed baking business entrepreneur and celebrity judge on the CW’s “Holiday Kids’ Baking Battle” Cyd Mitchel will serve as the competition host and commentator, sharing her expert perspective with the audience.

The contest is open to professional cake decorators, sugar artists and pastry chefs who are currently working full- or part-time in a cake/cupcake shop, retail or supermarket bakery and have a minimum of two years of decorating experience. All submissions must be received no later than April 30, and selected contestants will be notified by May 31. They will be provided with three nights lodging at one of IBIE’s host hotels, a travel stipend and complimentary passes to the expo.

Complete competition rules, participation criteria and the link to apply can be found at the Pillsbury Bakers’ Plus Creative Cake Decorating Competition page on the IBIE 2022 website.

In addition to contest title sponsor Pillsbury, individual category sponsors include American Cake Decorating Magazine, Cargill, Pfeil & Holing, and Satin Fine Foods.