OC Cupcake Classic 2013

The OC Cupcake Classic is one of my favorite cupcake events. It takes place at the OC Fair in front of a live audience. I love getting to see the smiles on people's faces when they are given a winning fair ribbon. To be asked to be a judge for a third time is such an honor. 

Every year more and more cupcakes are entered in the event. The first year I judged there were only three judges and less than 100 cupcakes. This year there were 10 judges and probably close to 500 cupcakes. You know what that means....more cupcakes that need judging!

I love seeing how much effort is put into each cupcake. The bakers aren't professional cupcake bakers. They are local people with a love of baking. Some of them get so creative with the decorations.

Yes I love eating cupcakes, but sometimes I hit a limit. That happened on this day. The other judge at my table and I were very quick at judging our first category (spice cupcakes), so we were given another category to judge (other). I made it almost all the way through before I started to feel queasy. 

But despite feel a little sick to my stomach, I couldn't forget one of my favorite cupcakes of the day: churro. I especially loved the mini churro on top. So delicious!

The winning cupcake was coconut creme. It was a toss-up between that one and chocolate banana. Some decisions are so hard! But all of us judges agreed that the coconut creme was pretty incredible. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and who supported the event in the audience. I had a blast and hope to return again next year. Thanks OC Fair!

Still Time to Enter OC Cupcake Classic

The OC Cupcake Classic at the OC Fair is just around the corner. And there is still time to enter the contest!

This fun, amateur cupcake competition takes places on Saturday, August 3 at 1:00pm. Registration can be completed all the way until July 31. You can read all requirements here (scroll down to page 21).

There are four age groups for this competition: Blue Ribbon Kids (age 5-8), Juinor Youth (age 9-12), Young Adults (13-18), and Adult. For the adults, there are three categories: fruit-flavored, chocolate, and other cupcake creation. Last time I judged the chocolate category and by the time I finished, I never wanted to eat another chocolate cupcake again.

I have been fortunate to be a part of this great community event for the past several years, and I can't wait to do it again. I hope to see lots of you there!

Coming Up: OC Cupcake Classic 2013

It's summer time! And that means it's almost OC Fair time!

I'm excited to announce that the OC Cupcake Classic will be back! The OC Cupcake Classic is a cupcake contest that is judged live at the OC Fair. I have been asked to judge this super FUN event again and I can't wait!

Here are the main details:

The OC Cupcake Classic is open to the public, with adult and youth (5-18) divisions.

The event takes place Saturday, August 3 at 1:00pm.

You must pre-register by July 31. You can find the registration form here.

For more info, you can check out the OC Fair Competitions page (scroll down to page 21).

This is such a great community event and I'm honored that the OC Fair asked me to return. I can't wait to see all of the bakers and taste their goodies!

Sugar Rush: a cupcake extravaganza!

This definitely is the year of cupcake events and I love it! The next cupcake competition I will be attending (and judging) is Sugar Rush: a cupcake extravaganza!

Sugar Rush
Saturday, January 29, 2011
11a-3p
Piecemaker's Parking Lot
1720 Adams Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

It will be an afternoon full of cupcakes, a cupcake competition, food, activities for kids and adults, music, shopping, and lots and lots of sugar! All proceeds from the event will benefit the Orangewood Children's Foundation.

If you're interested in being a vendor or would like to compete in the cupcake competition, you can contact:

Shastin: 714-641-3112
shastinf@hotmail.com
www.sugarrushcupcakeextravaganza.blogspot.com

I will post more information as the event gets closer!

Cupcake Camp IE is almost here!

Cupcake Camp IE is just a few days away! Are you joining me in tasting the best cupcakes from the Inland Empire? Don't miss out! Here are the details.

OC Fair Cupcake Contest

The OC Fair has officially started!

With that in mind, just a reminder that the OC Cupcake Classic, which takes place at the OC Fair on August 14, is still open to competitors. Whether you are a professional or just like to bake, this is your chance to enter Orange County's first cupcake competition.

You can find out more info here and on the OC Fair's website (page 18).

Hope to see you there (I'm one of the judges!).

OC Cupcake Classic

Two days ago I introduced the deep-fried Klondike bar, a food item that I'm looking forward to trying at the OC Fair this summer.



Something else that's new at the OC Fair this year is the OC Cupcake Classic. It's a cupcake competition that is open to everyone! There are three categories:

1. Professional Baker
2. Amateur Baker
3. Youth 9-18

The event will take place on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 1:00pm. Bakers can submit two entries, with six cupcakes needed for each entry. Cupcakes will be judged on taste, originality, and creativity. Entries must be received by August 11, 2010. You can find all info about the OC Cupcake Classic here (page 18) and submit your entry here.

Now here's the exciting part: I'm going to be a judge! That's right, I've been asked to be a judge to find Orange County's best cupcakes. If you are a cupcake baker or know someone who bakes great cupcakes, make sure they enter.

To find out more info about the OC Fair, go here: www.ocfair.com and @ocfair

LA Cupcake Challenge

If I could spend a day doing anything, I wouldn't mind spending it eating cupcakes! The LA Cupcake Challenge is perfect for that. Last year was the first year of the LA Cupcake Challenge. I had planned on going, but had to miss it at the last moment. This year I'm not going to miss it!


Never heard of the LA Cupcake Challenge? It's a sampling of LA and OC's best cupcakes. It takes place on Saturday, February 20 from 12-3pm at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, CA. The bakeries will be competing for titles of three categories: Best Traditional, Best Original, and Best Overall. (You can find a list of last year's winners here.)

The cost for this event is $40 and well worth it! You get to sample cupcakes from over 25 different cupcake shops/bakeries. Two of the bakeries in the competition were recently featured on The Food Network's "Cupcake Wars." And two of the bakeries are local favorites in Orange County (Meringue Bake Shop and Two Parts Sugar).


Now for the exciting part: I've been selected to be a judge! Now there's no excuse for me to not attend. I have been looking forward to this event for several months. I hope to see some of you there eating lots of cupcakes (and going into a sugar coma) with me!

LA Cupcake Challenge
Saturday, February 20 12-3pm
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
Buy tickets here.