Michigan Cake Wars sweet showdown coming
Event set for Villa Penna Feb. 29
Michigan Cake Wars is coming to Villa Penna in Sterling Heights.
The ultimate cake competition taking center stage Feb. 29 from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. will feature 18 skilled bakers from Southeast Michigan competing to become this year’s champion.
“I’m ready,” said Renee Hassell, a participant and owner of Cakes by Renee in Shelby Township. “It’s going to be a little different than the Cake Wars you see on TV. They have three hours to
make a cake. We don’t have that kind of time so we’ll be
bringing our cakes.”
“It’s going to be a lot of
fun,” added Hassell.
Not only fun for the bakers but also for the fans who get to taste the cakes they make.
“I’m very excited,” said Christine Brisse of Macomb Township, founder of the Cake Mitten. “I’ve never
done a cake competition before but I think I can do it.”
Benjamin Brisse concurred.
“I think she can win, because I believe in her, and if she thinks she can do it she will,” said her 8-year-old son and assistant for the day.
“We have a really good design planned,” Brisse said, referring to the family members who support her baking endeavors and her business, which specializes in everything from cakes for weddings and cupcakes for birthdays to full dessert bars. Whatever someone dreams up, she can make it into a cake.
However, looks are not everything when it comes to cake competition.
The judges will base their decision on every part of the cake, all of which must be edible.
So, what looks good on the outside must also taste good on the inside, and as many fans of these competitions know, no matter how marvelous it appears, a dry cake will send the baker packing.
This is where Brisse has an advantage.
“I’m using my mother’s recipe for chocolate cake,” Brisse said, of Filomena Campbell, who died shortly after the cake shop opened.
Growing up, Brisse shared her mother’s passion for baking and her father’s creativity and it’s this inherent combination that led to her successful business model. As for the competition? Success will depend on a panel of judges composed of culinary and pastry experts who will meticulously evaluate the cakes based on taste, presentation, and overall creativity. The attendees will also be encouraged to utilize state of the art voting technology to determine the People’s Choice Champion.
Tickets start at $25 and are available online at eventbrite. com/e/michigan-cake-wars2024-tickets-763775361667.
Admission includes access to unlimited cake samples, four delectable dessert and sparkling wine samples, dessert-forward beer samples and a digital photo keepsake.
Sponsors for the event include: Trinchero Family Estates, Fontana Events, Elite Ink, Salvati Insurance Group, Halo Digital Solutions, Chili Peppers Tanning, Detroit Bold Coffee, DJ Danny D, Blumz Florist, Eastown Corporate Apparel, Cosmic Groove, Green Safe Products, Starlight Studio Events, Sonesta Select, Party Cakes Decorating Supplies, Asset Preservation, Trailer Events, Prime IV, Founders Brewing, Estelli Balloons, Christopher London DJ, Creative Confections, Scott Merian EXP, International Outdoor and The Whiskey Wagon.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Hassell said of the competition. “A lot of people don’t realize what a custom cake shop has to offer. It’s great exposure.”
Brisse said she’s also looking forward to meeting some of the other bakers. “I’m very excited to see Yell Sweets in the competition. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about her flavor palate.”