Two of the hottest events in the international world of cake decorating take place in October.
 
October will be a busy month for cutting-edge cake extravaganzas, as leading cake designers and sugar artists will take the stage at two of the hottest events in the international world of cake decorating.

First off, the annual Grand National Wedding Cake Competition and the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show will take place Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, featuring renowned cake artists Marina Sousa, James Rosselle and Australia’s Greg Cleary. This marks the 24th anniversary of this prestigious event organized by show director Kerry Vincent, a celebrated cake artist, author, television judge and an International ICES Sugarcraft Hall of Fame member.

Further, the Americas Cake Fair has announced its jam-packed schedule of live theater (main stage) demonstrations by some of the world’s most renowned cake designers and sweets-centric television personalities. The largest trade and consumer show in North and South America dedicated to cake, chocolate, sugar arts and more returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on October 13-15.

Ron Ben-Israel will be among top cake artists appearing at the Americas Cake Fair.
 
Headlining the Americas Cake Fair live theater is “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro, star of the hit TLC show, appearing on Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15; Mich Turner, whose clientele includes The Queen of England, Madonna and David Beckham, presenting on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14; pastry genius Ron Ben-Israel, named “the Manolo Blahnik of wedding cakes” by The New York Times, also on stage October 13 and 14; and Nancy Fuller, host of Food Network’s Farmhouse Rules, appearing on Sunday, October 15. 

Attendees can build their skills and learn from the best in the business at more than 100 hands-on classes, demonstrations and business seminars taught by the world’s most skilled cake decorators and industry professionals. In addition to the stage presentations, hands-on classes, demonstrations and seminars, Cake Fair’s features include:

  • The Sugar Art Fashion Show on Friday evening, October 13, with models strutting the runway adorned by cake costumes and edible ensembles, co-hosted by celebrity chef Emily Ellyn and fashion stylist and on-air style expert Melanie Pace.
  • Live Global Cake and Chocolate Challenges, where international teams and individuals will battle for top honors
  • Traditional cake competitions offering cash prizes for contestants across all skill levels

The Retail Bakers of America is thrilled to announce the five teams that will compete in the 16th Annual Pillsbury Baker’s Plus Grand Champion Creative Decorating Competition. The 2017 competition will be held Oct. 14-15 during the America’s Cake Fair.

The five teams, consisting of regional affiliate winners as well as top portfolio entries, will compete in three categories including a wedding cake, a rolled fondant cake, and a sculpted cake. The highest scoring team, as determined by a panel of judges, will be awarded the coveted Pillsbury Baker’s Plus Grand Champion Trophy, as well as a cash prize.

Retail Bakers of America sponsors the annual Pillsbury Baker’s Plus Grand Champion Creative Decorating Competition.
 
This year’s competitors are Belinda Martinez and Cythia Velazquez from the The Cake Plate, Austin; Alethea Hickman and Elena Vara from the Passion for Pastry, Coral Springs, Florida; John Natter & Lisa Smith from Ann’s Cake Pan, Horsham, Pennsylvania; Megan Bignell and Kyle Baker from the Thirsty Whale, Minneapolis; and Diane Ahrens and Daisy Janisch from the Piece-A-Cake, Chicago.

Cake Fair is hosted by Satin Ice, which is made by Satin Fine Foods, Inc., an industry-leading manufacturer distributing its premium range of cake decorating products to more than 60 countries worldwide. Partners and sponsors of The Americas Cake Fair include Ateco; Cake Masters; Dawn; DecoPac; Domino Sugar; Guittard Chocolate Company; Pillsbury; Retail Bakers of America; and Sterling Bank.

Grand National Wedding Cake Competition

This year’s theme — Perfume 2017 — of the Grand National Wedding Cake Competition set for Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, may have puzzled some at first, but then resonated when competitors realized that it is not all about the bottles, according to Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show Director Kerry Vincent. Cake artists are encouraged to consider flowers in the fields grown for their fragrant extracts, advertising campaigns, dressing table accoutrément, and the long history of perfume in the human experience.

The annual Grand National Wedding Cake Competition and the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, both presented under the same umbrella, were developed as non-profit, volunteer supported events simply for the love of the art.

This year’s show presenters are Marina Sousa, James Rosselle and Australia’s Greg Cleary who will present thoughtful demonstrations showing skill and professional application of product use. “My eye is always on the future aware that these showcases support inspiration for upcoming competition,” Vincent says.

Marina Sousa will share decorating tips at the Oklahoma Sugar Art Show.
 
Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show 2017

Tulsa State Fair – Lower Level – River Spirit Expo Building

Saturday, September 30
10-11:30 a.m. – Follow beloved sugar artists and fan favorites James Rosselle and Marina Sousa as they create a show stopper fit for royalty. Sharing whimsical and traditional techniques paired to create an ultra-modern take on a wedding cake. Rosselle will demonstrate sugar flower techniques highlighting the use of classic gumpaste and also incorporate sugar flair with his use of long-stemmed tulips. Sousa will be embossing and texturing creating beautiful elements.

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. –Join one of Australia’s greats Greg Cleary as he begins to create a stunning contemporary wedding cake with a unique twist. His elegant gravity-defying cake will give the illusion that it is floating in mid-air. Learn the architectural secrets of structure and the building of the cake. The session will include making peonies, morning glories and exotic foliage.

1:30–3 p.m. OKLAHOMA LIVE: Competitors must create an interpretation of a popular nursery, which will be disclosed on site. Contestants must arrive at least 30 minutes in advance.

The America’s Cake Fair 2017 Oct. 13-16 in Orlando, Florida Presentation Schedule 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
10:30 a.m. Domino Sugar Presentation
11:30 a.m. Mich Turner
1 p.m. Nancy Fuller 
2 p.m. Ron Ben-Israel 
3 p.m. Paul Bradford 
4 p.m. Global Challenge Awards Ceremony

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14
10:30 a.m. Ron Ben-Israel 
1 p.m. Mich Turner
2 p.m. Buddy Valastro
3 p.m. Shawna McGreevy and Avalon Yarnes 
4 p.m. Ewald Notter

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15
1 p.m. Nancy Fuller 
2 p.m. Buddy Valastro
3 p.m. Awards Presentation