Cupcake Wars Rage at Shore Regional HS

Let the wars begin, and may the judging be ever in your flavor!

The flour flew and decorations dazzled, as the Foods for Today classes prepared to engage in the annual Cupcake Wars. The classes, taught by Mrs. Susan Moran, spent several days prepping their recipes and displays, and the judging took place on Jan. 18 and 19.

Based on the theme of “Decades,” the students had to create original recipes and decorations based on their theme, in this major project to end the semester.
“The best thing about the contest is the teamwork and commitment to it,” said Moran. “I’m always amazed by the magnitude of what they produce.”
Some examples of presentations included a giant peace sign with tye-dye cupcakes to represent the 60s, funfetti cupcakes with gummy bears to represent people dancing in a 70s disco, elegant edible pearls and stars to represent the Roaring 20s, and hamburger-shaped cupcakes and cake fries to signify the fast-food explosion of the 50s.
“I give them the guidelines and they’re off and running,” said Moran.
One group was preparing to represent the 1920s with a Gatsby-themed display, including cupcakes with Oreo frosting - like black and white tuxedos, and emerald green frosting - symbolizing money and hope.
“It’s fun being with people and baking,” said junior Dylan Laughlin. “We get a lot of freedom. Before this class, I didn't’ know anything about cooking beside making eggs.”
Another team was creating a Pac-Man themed display to portray an element of the 80s.
“I like to bake and challenge myself,” said Brianna Pepsni, a freshman. Her group’s cupcakes included blue and yellow swirled frosting with homemade fondant Pac-Man and ghost characters on top.
Another group who chose the 1920s decided to focus on the Jazz Age element of their decade, creating blue velvet cupcakes to represent blues and jazz, and dark chocolate with buttercream icing as a tribute to black-and-white movies of the era.
“The hardest part is getting all the cupcakes measured and consistent,” explained Paige Green, a freshman.
“We’ve learned skills such as cutting, measurement, precision, and how to set up our stations,” added ninth-grader James Accoo.

Mrs. Moran added that the newly renovated culinary arts lab made the competition so much better than in previous years. The workstations and prep tables allowed students to create a more dynamic project and display their work clearly.
“This is such a dream,” she said.