ROCHE BROS. TAKES CAKE DECORATING PRIZE

LAURA KLEPACKI

BOSTON -- Roche Bros. Supermarkets, Wellesley Hills, Mass., won first prize in a cake decorating contest held at the annual Taste Show of the New England Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association held here earlier this month. The cakes were judged by conference attendees.

The first place cake, which looked like a carousel, was decorated by Debbie Kelley under the direction of Peter Dumas, director of bakery operations for the nine-store independent.

Second place went to Judy Ruscia, decorator, and Rick Hagopian, bakery director, of Ro-Jack's Food Stores, Mansfield, Mass., for a cake decorated like a fruit basket. Ro-Jack's operates four stores in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island.

The third place was presented to Kim Riley, decorator, and Rob Doehler, bakery director, for Hannaford Bros., an 88-store chain based in Scarborough, Maine, for a cake decorated like a picnic basket with watermelon, fried chicken, corn and -- ants.

Cash prizes of $500, $250 and $150 were awarded for the first, second and third place winners. Each winner also received a cake decorating kit. The winners were selected from among 16 entries displayed at the show.