IDDBA announces 2014 Cake Challenge contestants

The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA), Madison, Wis., announces the three contestants chosen to participate in the 19th annual IDDBA Cake Decorating Challenge, to be held at IDDBA’s Dairy-Deli-Bake 2014 seminar and expo in Denver, June 1-3.

The decorators receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to compete are Amanda Hansen, Coborn’s, Inc., Sauk Rapids, Minn.; Stephanie Murphree, Harp’s Food Stores Inc., West Fork, Ark.; and Sarah Watts, Publix Super Markets Inc., Gainesville, Fla. Sixty-six decorators from 30 supermarket chains entered the competition.

The IDDBA Cake Decorating Challenge comprises three phases. On Sunday, June 1, each contestant will decorate enough cakes to fill one multi-tiered, 8-ft.-long bakery case. On Monday, June 2, each contestant will decorate a wedding cake. On Tuesday, June 3, each contestant will decorate three cakes, one from each category: special occasion, show theme and decorator’s choice.

The judges for the event will be Luke Bender, manager of technical service, Maplehurst Bakeries LLC, Brownsburg, Ind., and Jim Caliendo, dessert training specialist, Rich Products Corp., Buffalo, N.Y.

For more information, visit www.iddba.org.

This webinar will examine variables factoring into nutritionally improved candy sales, including ingredients, label claims, and alternative sugars. Better-for-you options remain top of mind for consumers who are searching for indulgences, but in a healthier format.