ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Want to put your skills and baked goods to the test? Artisan Bakery Expo East (ABEE), to be held Oct. 1-2 at the Atlantic City Convention Center, is offering three competitions for attendees to enter.
In this prestigious annual cake competition, up to 125 participants will be entered into the professional division or beginner/student division. Cake decorators will compete to demonstrate their artistry, skill and imagination.
Bakers have three categories to choose from: tiered wedding cakes, novelty/specialty cakes and sculptured cakes. The cakes will be judged by appearance and points will be awarded based on neatness, originality, creativity, colors and degree of difficulty.
In the professional division, first place in each category will receive $500 and a trophy. The second place winner will receive $100 and third place will receive $50. For the beginner and student division, first place in will receive $300 and a trophy, with second and third place receiving $100 and $50, respectively.
Completed cakes can be delivers in a pre-designated area at the front of Hall C during two windows: Sept. 30 from 12-6 p.m. and Oct. 1 from 8-11 a.m. Any cake not delivered in time will be disqualified from the competition. However, late entries will be allowed on display for viewing purposes. Cakes entered must also be picked up on Monday from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
The schedule for this competition is as :
OCT. 1
- 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | All divisions and categories can be viewed
- 2-4:45 p.m. | Judging takes place
- 4:45 p.m. | Winners are announced
OCT. 2
- 11 a.m. – 3:15 pm. | All divisions and categories can be viewed
- 3:30-4 p.m. | Awards presentation
The title of Best Bagel in the Northeast is up for grabs for the first time in two divisions: traditional and non-traditional. The competition is limited to the first 15 entries per category. Bakers are required to prepare their bagels onsite.
The winners of each category will receive $500 and a trophy, with second- and third-place recipients each receiving a trophy as well. The award for best schmear will also be declared, with the winner taking home a $250 gift card and medal.
The competition will take place over the two-day stretch of ABEE. The schedule is as follows:
OCT. 1
- 10:30 a.m. | Competitors meeting
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Non-traditional division (prep dough and forming, if needed)
- 2 – 5 p.m. | Traditional division (prep dough and forming, if needed)
Oct. 2
- 8-8:30 a.m. | Competitors and judges meeting
- 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Non-traditional division (boil and bake)
- 12-3:30 p.m. | Traditional division (boil and bake)
- 3:30-4 p.m. | Awards presentation
The Great Northeast Cookie Art & Creativity Contest
This inaugural competition is open to professional/advanced and amateur/student bakers. Each division is limited to 25 entrants who are fully qualified, registered and confirmed. All competitors must be 16 years old or older at the time of entry to be eligible to compete.
The theme for the competition is Vintage Atlantic City Postcards. For both divisions, the first-place winner will receive $500 and a trophy and second and third place will each receive trophies.
The schedule for this competition is as follows:
OCT. 1
- 11 a.m. | Competitors and judges meeting
- 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Professional division judging
- 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Amateur/student division judging
- 3:45 p.m. | Awards presentation
Register and read the rules for each competition on the ABEE website.
