IDDBA's 2016 Cake Decorating Challenge Winners Named

The winner of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) 21st annual Cake Decorating Challenge is Sara Vanderheyden, Hy-Vee Inc., Ames, Iowa. The event was held at the Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar and Expo in Houston, June 5-7.

Second place went to: Nayeli Cruz, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions, Carlsbad, Calif. The third place winner was: Paige Thornton, Green Valley Marketplace, Elkridge, Md. 

The Challenge consists of three phases. On day one, contestants decorate enough cakes to fill one multi-tiered, eight-foot bakery case. On day two, contestants decorate a wedding cake. On day three, each contestant decorates three cakes, one from each category: special occasion, show theme, and decorator’s choice.

The judges for the 2016 event were: Luke Bender, manager of technical service, Maplehurst Bakeries, LLC, and Jim Caliendo, dessert training specialist, Rich Products Corporation.

New this year was the People’s Choice Award. Each day was open to attendees to vote for their favorite decorator. The People’s Choice winners are: