Wedding Cake Contest Winners Announced

The winners of the CalJava Wedding Cake Competition, held March 6 at Pennsylvania College of Technology, have been announced.

The contest was created by Daniel Budiman owner of CalJava International, a California-based cakes and decorating supply company for Penn College students after he twice visited the campus, where he observed the students' talent and creativity and conceived the contest to encourage them to push their skills to a higher level.

For the fourth year, students in an advanced cake-decorating class, taught by Sue L. Major, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, were challenged to design three-tiered cakes inspired by wedding wrapping paper.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Erin E. Brown, of Lock Haven, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in culinary arts and systems. Brown will receive an all-expense-paid trip to California to attend a hands-on course at the CalJava International School of Decorating and Sugarcrafts, valued at more than $2,000.

First place was awarded to Akacia Klick, of Kingston. The honor was accompanied by a $250 cash prize. Callie L. Chalmers, of Galeton, earned second place and a $150 cash prize. Roseanna L. Fagnano, of Williamsport, earned third place and $100. Each of the prizes was sponsored by CalJava International.

Kathleen A. Garrison, of Flanders, N.J., was named the People's Choice Award winner as determined by cash votes cast by visitors to the display. The $81 donated by voters will be given to the Williamsport YWCA's Liberty House, which provides rooms for homeless women, and women with children, as well as programs to assist them in becoming self-sufficient.

Judges for the event were Jennifer Eckert, who earned degrees in baking and pastry arts and technology management from Penn College; Michael Gingrich, a culinary arts/baking and pastry arts instructor at York County School of Technology; Tammie Holsinger, owner of Cove Party Supply in Roaring Spring and host of her own cake-decorating competition; and Kim Morrison, two-time grand-prize winner of the National Wedding Cake Competition and owner of Cakes for Occasions in Spring Mills.

For more information about CalJava International, visit online .

To learn more about the baking and pastry arts major and other academic programs offered by the School of Hospitality at Penn College, call (570) 327-4505 or visit on the Web .

For more information about Penn College, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.