Wedding Cake Competition Pays Tasty, Tuneful Tribute to 'Love Songs'

– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue

Etta James’ “At Last” is the impetus for a cake by Rachel C. Bryant, of Wellsboro, who tied for third place.

Bette Midler's classic “The Rose” inspires a cake by Rachel C. Cooper, of Bangor.

“I say love, it is a flower …” lyrics show off Cooper’s piping skills.

A visual take on Taylor Swift’s “Enchanted” earns a third-place tie for Shannon E. Croney, of Lake Ariel.

Edible details on Croney's cake include colorful flowers and moss.

A cake by Marissa R. Dimoff, of Mount Union, takes its cue from the song “Bella Notte” from Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” ...

... with an enduring cinematic love scene as its topper.

The title song from Disney’s adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” comes to life on a cake by Jessica N. Felton, of State College.

The lyrics “Tale as old as time …” spur Felton's decorative creativity.

“So This Is Love” from Disney’s “Cinderella” is beautifully evoked by Sarah B. Fiedler, of Lock Haven.

Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” – and the song’s single cover – inform this cake by Daniel C. Frankenfield, of Dushore ...

Fondant piano keys, piped lyrics and a pulled-sugar rose display Park's winning techniques.

Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” inspires a bird-of-paradise-topped cake by Tiffany A. Reese, of Wellsboro.

“Lucky” by Jason Mraz provides the soundtrack for an air-brushed and hand-painted cake by Liliana M. Strunk, of Avis.

Drawing upon a visit to Hotel Coronado, where Marilyn Monroe filmed “Some Like It Hot,” Ana Nicole Uribe, of Lewisburg, decorated her cake based on the song “I Wanna Be Loved by You,” as sung by Monroe in the movie.

The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love” is the message of a colorful cake by Jenna Zaremba, of Pottsville, who placed second.

The theme of the day

From left are judges Lynnette F. Stegmaier, who won the competition last year; Kim Morrison, owner of Cakes for Occasions in Spring Mills; and Eckert, ’01 and ’04, bakery manager for Redner’s Warehouse Markets in Reading.

A delicate fondant rose adds detail to Fiedler's creation.

... beautifully crowned by hand-formed white roses.

A hand-molded bow and pearling adorn Uribe's creation ...

Chef Charles R. Niedermyer, instructor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, thanks Chef Sue L. Mayer, assistant professor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, for her years of organizing the cake competition. Mayer plans to retire this spring.

Competitors – all enrolled in the Cake Decorating II course taught by Mayer – pose with their instructor.

... which she discusses with judge Jennifer Eckert.

Frank Sinatra’s “Come Rain or Come Shine” is the theme for this first-place cake by Kelsey L. Park, of Bellefonte.