NEW ORLEANS — Rjonathan Armistead, a baker and decorator for Hy-Vee in Columbia, Mo., won first place here at the conclusion of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s 13th annual cake decorating competition yesterday. Doris Irias Varela, a decorator for Publix Super Markets in Miami, took second place; Trish Horsley, a decorator for Price Cutter Supermarkets in Poteau, Okla., took third. The three finalists were selected in a blind review process from a pool of applicants spanning the country. Carol Christison, executive director of IDDBA, said the association receives over 2,000 photos annually from decorators hoping to be selected to compete. During an intense three-day event at the IDDBA show and expo, Armistead, Varela and Horsley were judged based on their execution, creativity and design of a wedding cake on day one, a collection of small cakes to fill a standard 8-foot display case on day two, and three special event cakes on day three.

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