The International Dairy·Deli·Bakery Association’s 17th annual Cake Decorating
Challenge will be a featured event at the annual Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar and Expo, to be held June 10-12, 2012, in New Orleans, LA. Three store-level decorators will have the opportunity to create show-stopping displays that promote their artistic abilities and show off the talent and hard work that sells cakes for their companies.

Judges are looking for decorators who have skills in three areas: production cakes, theme cakes, and wedding cakes. The challenge begins with creating enough production cakes to fill an 8' bakery case on Day One. Day Two is devoted to the creation of a wedding cake. On the last day, each contestant will decorate three cakes of their choosing, one from each category: special occasion, theme/event, and decorator’s choice.

Three contestants (one store-level decorator from each of three supermarkets) will compete for first, second, and third place trophies. There will also be a separate trophy for the store of the first place winner. IDDBA will cover transportation, lodging, and meals for each contestant during the contest. Materials and tools will be provided and each contestant will be able to keep the full set of professional cake decorating tips and supplies used for the challenge.

It’s easy to enter. Cake decorators need only to send a photo album of the best cakes they have ever decorated, along with an entry form. The more photos sent, the easier it is for the selection committee to determine the skill level. Photo albums will be returned. Retailers may enter as many contestants as they choose.

The deadline for entering is February 14, 2012. Visit the IDDBA Web site, www.iddba.org, for more information and an entry form. Contact Anne Terrien, at 608-310-5000 or aterrien@iddba.org, with any questions. The IDDBA Web site also features photos of cakes from last year’s challenge.