A student enrolled in Pennsylvania College of Technology's baking and pastry arts major has won an all-expense-paid trip to California to attend a class of her choice at the CalJava International School of Cake Decorating and Sugar Craft.
The prize, valued at more than $2,000, was awarded to Katlyn D. Stupar, of State College (who graduated with an associate degree May 13), after she was named the grand-prize winner in the first CalJava Wedding Cake Contest. Each three-tier entry was designed based on a wedding wrapping-paper theme.
The contest was sponsored for Penn College students by CalJava International, whose chief executive officer, Daniel Budiman, also edits Here Comes the Cake magazine. CalJava International, based in Northridge, Calif., distributes cake-decorating supplies to bakeries, caterers, distributors and cake- and candy-supply stores worldwide. Stupar's winning cake design is expected to appear in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
Budiman and John Busch, account executive at CalJava, also sponsored cash prizes for first through third places. Carrie L. Helminiak, of Williamsport, who earned first place, is a sophomore in the baking and pastry arts major. She received a $300 award.
Second place was earned by Rachel S. Hall, of Altoona, a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in culinary arts technology, who received a $200 cash award for her cake design.
Hannah P. Ten Eyck, of Danville, took home the $100 third-place award. Ten Eyck earned associate degrees from Penn College in both baking and pastry arts and culinary arts technology in 2004 and is currently enrolled as a nondegree student.
Following official judging, the cakes were displayed for the public, which was invited to cast cash votes for their favorite entry. Ann C. Kelly, of Muncy, won the People's Choice Award. Kelly also graduated May 13 with an associate degree in baking and pastry arts.
Money raised through the voting was donated to the Williamsport YWCA's Liberty House, which provides rooms for homeless women (and women with children) and programs to assist them in becoming self-sufficient.
The 13 students who entered the contest were enrolled in a second-level cake decorating class taught by Sue L. Major, assistant professor of food and hospitality management/culinary arts.
They received feedback and practical advice on their designs from Budiman and contest judges Kim Morrison, owner of Cakes for Occasions in Spring Mills and winner of the Sugar Arts Championship in Tulsa, Okla.; award-winning and internationally known master confectioner Julie Bashore, owner of House of Clarendon in Lancaster; and Jennifer Eckert, who earned degrees in baking and pastry arts and technology management from Penn College.
"We were very pleased with the results of the contest," said Frederick W. Becker, dean of the School of Hospitality at Penn College. "Our students clearly distinguished themselves, producing work that could compete at a professional level. We're grateful to Dan, Julie and Kim for helping to make the event possible."
For more information about the academic programs offered by the School of Hospitality at Penn College, call (570) 327-4505, send e-mail or visit online.