Cupcake Champions?

CakeDreams bakers Jane-Marie Kane and Michele Kenno are representing Rockville in the sixth season of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars. Fourteen other winning bakers are also vying for the $50,000 prize and title of Cupcake Champions.

"We were invited to come back because we were one of the ," Kane said. "We said yes because we just really wanted to prove to ourselves and to everyone that we have what it takes to be the best." 

For five weeks, four previous Cupcake Wars winners are trying to wow judges Candace Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes and Florian Ballanger, chef and co-owner of MadMac, in three elimation challenges. What's it like competing for such high stakes against proven bakers?

"This time it was a little more nerve wracking," said Kane, "because it was for the opportunity to compete for $50,000 and to be the champion." There was something to be said for being a return contestant, however. "I was comfortable this time." Kane said. "Having the previous experience of competing in Cupcake Wars and knowing I'd been in front of the judges before and they liked it. ... Just being part of the show and knowing how it worked before definitely gave me confidence."

The challenges the contestants may face this time include the opportunity to serve their winning cupcakes at a VIP party for the hit Broadway show, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, to bake for a "movie-magic" display for Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, to produce the cupcakes for a wrap party for Glee!, or to incorporate Scottish-based ingredients for cupcakes inspired by Disney and Pixar's new animated film, Brave.

In the finale on June 10, Food Network Stars Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson will join the series judges. The winning cupcakes will be served to Food Network Star mentors Alton, Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay at the Food Network Cupcakes! app for iPad launch party.

CakeDreams will go for the win in Episode Four, set to air on June 3. The winning cupcakes will be the treat for a party to celebrate the release of Brave. The winners from Episode Three will then face the winners of the first three challenges in the finale. 

The competition will include Rebecca Ybarra and Christiana Grammar of Suite 106 Cupcakery in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. They took the win in Episode One. The winners from Episode Two were Kyra Bussanich and Jackie Schonbron from Crave Bake Shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Episode Three aired Sunday. The winners will provide the cupcakes for the Glee! wrap party. 

When it's all done, one team will walk away with the prize money and the title. If CakeDreams takes it all, they'll invest in a larger kitchen and some new equipment. They might even open a larger store.

In the meantime, you can follow CakeDreams on Facebook or stop by for their May special Girl Scout cookie-flavored cupcakes. 

"I think being on Cupcake Wars in general is an awesome experience," Kane said. "I can't wait for everyone to see us compete and cheer us on."

Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly stated the date of the episode on which CakeDreams will compete. CakeDreams will compete on June 3. This version corrects the seventh paragraph. Rockville Patch regrets the error.