On May 3rd, students from Morgan, and four other schools came together and had the opportunity to compete in this year’s Regional Cupcake Wars. The winner of their school’s cupcake wars continues to regionals. Giovanna Santos, Evelyn Quezada, and Maddie Sacta from Morgan competed since they had won Morgan’s cupcake wars. Morgan competed against culinary students from Haddam-Killingworth, Montville, Bacon Academy, and Westbrook.
They had an hour to work while the judges viewed. All the students left when the one-hour mark was over, giving the judges time to discuss. They called each group individually. They presented their display of 12 cupcakes out of the 18 they made. Students left while the judges filled out the rubric. They were judged based on their oral presentation, creativity, taste, texture, and the overall appearance of the display. This was repeated with all five schools.
As culinary students waited for the judges to discuss, they stayed in the room across from them. They were provided with food and drinks while they waited. Then, I interviewed each group about their plans
Morgan’s idea was a picnic theme with a strawberry shortcake cupcake. They had heart-shaped strawberries on top and decorations that looked like plaid picnic baskets.
Montville created a cannoli cupcake with an Italian theme. They had raspberry cream cheese filling, with pistachios and a cannoli on top that they had also made. They added Italian architecture to their presentation, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Bacon Academy made cupcakes that looked like ice cream sundaes. They created a brownie fudge sundae cupcake filled with chocolate ganache. They added the frosting on top with sprinkles.
Westbrook’s theme was an emanated forest. The display consisted of chocolate cupcakes with raspberry moose filling and cream cheese frosting with coconut powder on top. They wanted to base their presentation on a creative and unique theme.
Haddam-Killingworth baked a Pina Colada themed cupcake. They’ve received positive feedback in the past on these cupcakes, so they decided this would be another opportunity to make them. These cupcakes took home the win, along with the 2024 Cupcake Wars Trophy. They had pineapple filling, and the cake was coconut-flavored. They had light whipped cream frosting, and the cupcakes were placed in drink cups with a tiny umbrella.
The winners, Emmie and Alana from HK, were interviewed. After their names were called as the winners, they were “so hyped.” They were told by the judges that their flavor and frosting worked very well together and that their display was colorful and creative.
At HK, all culinary classes, no matter the level, could compete in their school’s cupcake wars. They were both in the Intro to Foods class, although their skills showed otherwise. They competed against 83 other students to win HK’s cupcake wars.
