The 12th annual RBA Pillsbury Bakers Plus Creative Decorating Competition was held in Houston, TX at the new All Things Baking show Sept. 9-11. The competition featured professional decorators from retail and supermarket bakeries who competed for $14,000 in prize money. Competitors competed on the All Things Baking trade show floor for 9 hours over a two day period. Contestants were judged in five categories with winners in each category. The grand champion was selected based on the total points received from the five categories.

This year’s contestants were:

Betsy Yagunic of Alliance Bakery representing the Chicago Area Retail Bakers Association

Emma McAdow of Busken Bakery representing the Greater Cincinnati Retail Bakers Association

Krystina Gianaris of Kake Kouture representing the New Jersey Bakers Board of Trade

Rachel Vaughn of The Cakery representing the Ohio Bakers Association

Tina Bernier of Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery representing the Southeastern Retail Bakers Association

Keeann Richards-Cramer of Jerry’s Foods representing the Upper Midwest Bakers Association

Chris Bullock of Celebrations chosen by portfolio

Erica Hodges of Celebrations chosen by portfolio

Category Winners:

Flowers and Sprays category:

Bronze medal - Emma McAdow, Busken Bakery, GCRBA

Silver medal - Rachel Vaughn, The Cakery, OBA

Gold medal - Keeann Richards-Cramer, Jerry’s Foods, UMBA

 

Custom Design Cakes category:

Bronze medal - Rachel Vaughn, The Cakery, OBA

Silver medal - Tina Bernier, Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery, SRBA

Gold medal - Keeann Richards-Cramer, Jerry’s Foods, UMBA

 

Sculpted Cakes category:

Bronze medal - Tina Bernier, Tiffany’s Bakery & Eatery, SRBA

Silver medal - Betsy Yagunic, Alliance Bakery, CARBA

Gold medal - Rachel Vaughn, The Cakery, OBA

 

Wedding Cakes category:

Bronze medal - Krystina Gianaris, Kake Kouture, NJBBT

Silver medal - Emma McAdow, Busken Bakery, GCRBA

Gold medal - Rachel Vaughn, The Cakery, OBA

 

Rolled Fondant category:

Bronze medal - Krystina Gianaris, Kake Kouture, NJBBT

Silver medal is - Rachel Vaughn, The Cakery, OBA

Gold medal - Keeann Richards-Cramer, Jerry’s Foods, UMBA

Pillsbury Grand Champion:

Third place - Krystina Gianaris, Kake Kouture, NJBBT

Second place - Keeann Richards-Cramer, Jerry’s Foods, UMBA

2012 Pillsbury Grand Champion - Rachel Vaughn, The Cakery, OBA

 

Sponsors of the contest are the Retail Bakers of America and General Mills/Pillsbury along with category sponsors Pfeil & Holing, Bakery Crafts, and DecoPac.

Retail Bakers of America (RBA) – a 501(c)6 not-for-profit trade association caters to retail bakeries, allied suppliers, educators, students and other industry partners, and is committed to the success of the retail baking industry. Founded in 1918, RBA works as the bakers’ business partner and resource provider, and is the nation’s premier source of industry information.

All Things Baking is a 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 BEMA, this show is 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 and hone their skills.