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.
