Culinary arts teacher Tenika Williams hosted the second annual Cupcake Wars finale last semester. In an elimination style competition, several of Williams’ students battled to bake the finest desserts for a panel of volunteer judges who determined the champion of the seven classes based on taste, appearance, and texture.
“My main goal is to make sure that the students understand the concept of measuring and recognizing other subjects that are in cooking,” Williams said. “I also want them to leave high school able to earn an income by making or selling baked goods.”
For the first round, it was peer vs peer. The victors within each class period then faced off against each other in the finale held in the large auditorium.
In the end, the Amazing Cupcakes team came out on top after creating the best batter, frosting, and decorations by themselves. The winning group members, sophomore Sofia Meza Nolazco and senior Liyah Sanchez, created an assortment of chocolate, pecan, and pumpkin spice cupcakes.
“My favorite part was learning how to bake new recipes and ingredients,” Sanchez said. “The most difficult part was designing and making the flowers on the icing since we made it all from scratch.”
Sophomore Meagan Landin, who was runner-up, said the main thing she learned through the baking process was working together as a team.
“I liked building relationships with my team and working with them,” Landin said. “The last round was my favorite because it was a really good experience, and we had to get everything done in a short amount of time.”
Sophomore Elisabeth Almaraz eanred a spot in the final round of the competition and said that each of the competitors brought their A-game to the contest.
“Participating in Cupcake Wars was a great experience and let me learn more about baking and working together with others,” Almaraz said. “My group and I all had a great time thinking of ideas on how to decorate our cupcakes due to the theme and then executing it as well as we possibly can.”
Judge and associate principal Chantel Hluchan particularly loved the tangy palette of the winners.
“The cupcakes for The Amazing Cupcakes team were phenomenal.” Hluchan said. “The taste and the flavor of the cake was above and beyond all the others. their team really deserve their win,”
Hluchan also appreciated the accomplishments and the skills that were strengthened over the course of the entire event.
“I think all kids need to be involved in something, and if that’s Cupcake Wars then that is great,” Hluchan said. “Things like Cupcake Wars help pull kids in who don’t normally get involved in activities. It helps them build skill sets they might not develop otherwise.”
