Whether large or small, no special occasion is complete without something baked and sweet. With this is mind, America's Baking and Sweets Show opens at the Renaissance Shaumburg Convention Centre Hotel (1551 N Thoreau Dr) in Chicago for a delectable weekend of everything baked and sweet for every occasion and craving. From Nov. 15-17, 2013, America's Baking and Sweets Show offers an array of things to explore, discover and buy for Thanksgiving, Halloween, the holiday season, weddings, birthdays, dinner parties, intimate dinners or just to satisfy a sweet-tooth. This year's theme is Alice in Wonderland.

Each of the three days of America's Baking and Sweets Show brings new and exciting special guests. Friday welcomes both Brian Emmett and Geraldine Randlesome. Brian Emmett was the winner of the title of America's Top Amateur Baker on CBS's The American Baking Competition. Brian brings his passion for baking, and for life, to the show. Geraldine Randlesome, renowned cake designer, began her career thirty years ago when she was invited to work on the Canadian wedding caked for Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Since then, she has continued to innovate and design cakes and is sought after by such notable people and companies as Walt Disney, Francis Ford Coppola and the Prince of Japan. In 2011, Dessert Professionals Magazine voted Geraldine as one of the Top Ten Cake Designers in North America.

Celebrity Chef Gale Gand takes to the stage on Saturday. Host of the long running Food Network's and Cooking Channel's Sweet Dreams, Gand has appeared on Iron Chef America, Martha Stewart, Baking With Julia (Child), Oprah as well as acting as judge on Bravo's Top Chef and Top Chef Just Desserts . America's Baking and Sweets Show welcomes chef Duff Goldman on Sunday, Nov. 17. In addition to his work on Ace of Cakes, Duff also stars in the Food Network series, The Best Thing I Ever Ate as well as being featured in episodes of: Iron Chef America; The Next Food Network Star; Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives; Chefs vs. City; Cupcake Wars; and Chopped.

Visitors to America's Baking and Sweets Show can expect to see new trends and products from exhibitors in a range of categories including baking, sweets and confectionary, coffee and tea, liqueurs and kitchenware. The Cake Design Academy is created for people with a passion for baking, who are looking for inspiration. The one-hour demonstrations are available for $10 and two-and-a-half hour hands-on classes are offered for $60. For more information, visit americasbakingandsweetsshow.com.

With the theme of Alice in Wonderland, America's Baking and Sweets Show is filled with magical, imaginative and creative ideas for baked goods, the art of baking as well as decadent, sweet comfort foods. As the note said to Alice, "eat me," America's Baking and Sweets Show invites visitors to explore, discover and shop for the most delectable and hottest trends from exhibitors with a passion for the baked and sweet. Competitions for are held throughout the three days for both master chefs and passionate bakers.