Industry-Sponsored Wedding Cake Competition Invites Viewers

Published 02.10.2012

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On March 2, the public is invited to view intricately decorated, multitiered cakes created by Pennsylvania College of Technology's baking and pastry arts students.

"Butterflies" is the theme for the cakes, which will be displayed as part of a contest developed for the students by an industry leader in the world of wedding cakes.

Students have spent about eight weeks of class time on their cakes. Each is covered with fondant and judged by cake-decorating professionals based on aesthetics, technique and difficulty.

The students' cakes will be displayed for the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mountain Laurel Room of the Thompson Professional Development Center at Penn College. A ceremony to announce the winners is scheduled at 1 p.m.

Visitors may donate cash to cast votes for the People's Choice Award winner. The money will be given to 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 cake competition is sponsored by CalJava International, a manufacturer of ready-to-use gum-paste decorations, and was conceived by CalJava founder and owner Daniel Budiman after he visited the campus.

Six students enrolled in an advanced cake-decorating course taught by Suzann L. Major, assistant professor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts will compete for prizes sponsored by CalJava.

Participating students are: Patricia A. Bennett, of West Milton; Samuel P. Harer, of Lewisburg; Brittanie M. Lenig, of Shermans Dale; Kelly E. Rockwell, of Trout Run; Sabrina R. Strassner, of Milton; and Susan M. Updegraff, of Williamsport.

Following the competition at Penn College, the cakes will be entered in the Cake Decorating Extravaganza at the Atlantic Bakery Expo on March 18 and 19 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey.

To learn more about the academic programs offered by the School of Hospitality at Penn College, visit on the Web , email or call 570-327-4505.

For more about Penn College, visit online , email or call toll-free 800-367-9222.