Yesterday I attended the L.A. Cupcake Challenge – I’ve passed on it before, thinking that the price tag was a little steep, but after today I think it was totally worth it. It was so much fun and soooo much sugar!
There were 20 bakeries, all of whom had 2 cupcake flavors a piece…do the math that’s around 40 cupcakes to taste. Good lord. I went with the Food Librarian and we were good to go starting out, collecting each one, talking to the bakeries, finding out about them…
It seems we were totally unprepared as everyone (who was smart) brought their own tupperware or boxes! Wow. Even if you were taking them home it sure made it easier to carry your cupcakes around. No, the two of us just toted our wobbly little dessert plates and hoped for the best.
I was a fan of the simple Chocolate Vanilla Swirl from Sweet E’s, and the fancy Little Miss Shortcake from Cupcakes Couture. I also loved the inventiveness and display of the ‘Naughty’ cupcakes from Two Parts Sugar.
I also loved the BEAUTIFUL (and delicious) Salted Caramel from Tavern, though anything with a macaron on top has the edge for me. I will be visiting them soon.
Kristin from Meringue Bakeshop was there with her cute display. She had a cool raffle that included some of my “Bacon Love” stationery and why…? Because her cupcakes had bacon in them! And I have to say her ‘Pigs on Tap’ – Chocolate Stout Cupcake with bacon and whiskey bourbon buttercream was one of my favorites. It used bacon in the right way, and together with the frosting just made the perfect flavorful bite.
I talked to a few of the bakers and they said they had to make over 1400 cupcakes (!!) just to feed the massive crowd. Amazing! To be crowned King (or Queen) of the Cupcakes, I suppose it’s all worth it!
By the time we made it to our third trip around the room, sugar fatigue was setting in. I found it difficult to think and felt suddenly depressed. So we sat. And didn’t move. Instead we made a list of what we’d bring with us next year to be more prepared.
Some of the best parts of the day was getting to see friends – I got to chat a bit with Shari from Bonnin Designs and Clara from I Heart Cuppycakes. I also stopped to talk to Tara from When Tara Met Blog and Nichelle (who I last saw at the Martha Stewart cupcake show in New York!) from Cupcakes Take the Cake – both judges for the contest – talk about hard work!
It was a nice break from, well, cramming my face with sugar. There were some amazing bakeries there and we powered through and tasted about 30 cupcakes. It was not easy – but it was so much fun and I’d recommend that everyone go next year just to experience the craziness.
In the strangest coincidence ever – this is what we saw as we walked to the parking garage:
Right now I just need something salty. And a nap. zzz.
Kid's lunches, simple dinners and a whole lot of geeky baking.
I went too!! I was amazed at how many “not-so-great” cupcakes there were! Not sure that is was worth the $40 ticket price – but might have to go again next year to give it another try! Your list for next time is SPOT ON! Maybe we’ll see ya there!! =)
Oh yummy! I don’t know if I’d pay $40 to get in but you never know!
this was my first time in a food competition. glad you enjoyed our cupcake! there were so many people that i didn’t even get a chance to try anyone else’s cupcakes. bummer.
zzzz. i’m still in my sugar coma. we on again next year…complete with water camel pack!! – mary the food librarian
Dang! I really wanted to go this year but totally paused on when it was until it was too late.
Your list though is right on. I went to a cupcake exchange during Christmas one year and three cupcakes in I was dying for water and a double double.
Ah…now I understand what this was. I thought you were competing!
Great write up Jenn!! And great pics! Thanks for your support
and the wonderful raffle items.
Hey that’s me! Thanks for everything Jenn. You make me laugh so hard. A turkey leg! bah haha. I had to have a huge hamburger and a giant glass of water when we left there. Serious need for protein and nothing sweet. I’m surprised we didn’t see any ambulances there taking people out in sugar comas. I know there had to be diabetics in that room~ obviously~ hehe. As for the breastfeeding mothers that had the table next to us, yeah. That made for interesting table discussion with the men that came walking past. Kept us laughing. Lol.
HA! Well, I am one of the “breast feeding” mothers, the other was my sister….things definately get a little tricky with business when you have a hungry two month old. Didn’t know my “cupcakes” were the topic of discussion. On another note…thanks for the post and love the list!
@shari I didn’t notice anyone breastfeeding, I guess I was too busy grabbing cupcakes!
I loved the post much like the cliché “Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you’re alive, it isn’t.”