Bicentennial Bake-Off Is Sweet Competition

The heat was on Saturday at the Bicentennial Bake-Off. Bakers fired up their ovens for sweet confections to take home the title of Best Baker in Westlake.

Judges tasted the desserts at the .

"It was a good day of sugar," said co-organizer Kevin Foster as he announced the winners.

Joyce Affeldt took first place in the Adult category with her coconut cake. Affeldt said this isn't the first time the cake was a big hit.

"I made it for my son-in-law's birthday in June," she said. "He said it was the best cake he had ever had."

Judges Mayor Dennis Clough, Westlake Historical Society President Lysa Stanton, Westlake United Methodist Church Pastor John Butchko and Joe Schlott, owner of had their work cut out for them, tasting all of the 26 entries.

In the Friends of Westlake category, Amy Vaudenberg took first place with her root beer float cake. Vaudenberg, a Rocky River resident and avid baker, created a cake in the shape of a frosty mug with root beer flavored cake inside.

"I made this the first time when I had to find a birthday cake for a co-worker's 21st birthday," she said.

Lillian Vaudenberg took first place in the Youth category for bakers under 16 years old.