These rules apply to all entries in the Divisional Competition for both Youth and Adult entries. What Happens When Rules are Broken… The Contra Costa Cake and Sugar Art Show and Competition recognizes that errors and misunderstandings can happen, even amidst good intentions. Although we greatly value artistry and effort, rules are important to keep things fair. To that end, we do not disqualify cakes; but if an entry is deemed to have broken a rule, judges may zero out one or more sections of the scoring and may decide to bar said entry from any medal placement. Entries will still otherwise be judged and receive judging comments. If an entry is deemed to be in poor taste, it may be removed from the show at the discretion of the Head Judge and the Show Directors.
DECORATING
All entries must be the original design and work of the competitor. Taking inspiration from others’ work and techniques is acceptable, but copies are not acceptable. If judges are made aware of an entry being a copy of someone else’s work, they may zero out the Originality and Creativity part of the score, may choose to reduce or zero out the Judge’s Discretion part of the score, and/or may choose to bar the entry from awards placement. Pop culture or other referenced elements are allowed, particularly in relation to the annual theme but the overall entry’s design and how those images are used should be original and creative.
Sculpted Cake entries must be made mostly with real cake (see the Category rules below for specifics). All other entries may be comprised of real cake, a substitute (such as cereal bars), or Styrofoam dummies. If a cake substitute or a dummy is used, it must be a design that could be duplicated with real cake. The judges may choose to award more points for real cake if the difficulty level is higher and executed well.
Ribbons, tulle, etc., may be used to carry out a design. Do not use non-edible items in place of sugar media, for example, plastic pearls instead of fondant pearls. Columns, supports, wires, and stamens are allowed. Cold Porcelain is not allowed. “Edible Images” are allowed and will be judged in context with the entire entry. The use of Disco Dust and other such non-edible but non-toxic media should be limited to portions of the entry that could reasonably be removed, as if the entry were to be served Pasta is considered edible.
Food safety practices: all wires, armatures, and non-edible elements that would not normally be considered safe to be in contact with food must be treated in the same way as if the cake is being eaten. Entries made from real cake should use flower picks, wax products, aluminum foil, straws, or other appropriate means of separating non-food safe materials from the cake. Entries made from substitutes or Styrofoam should demonstrate equivalent reasonable care.
No Real Feathers or Real toxic flowers or leaves.
MISCELLANEOUS
Early registration is encouraged to help plan space needs. Although there are no refunds for entries that aren’t brought to the show, if you do register and decide you won’t be bringing your entry, it helps us to plan space if you let us know at [email protected]
All entrants must acknowledge a Registration and Release Form.
All entrants must fill out an Entry Form for each entry where they list what techniques and media they have used, as well as any other information required by their category (i.e., photos for sculpted cakes). This information accompanies entries on the tables and must have no marks or comments identifying the competitor.
Competitors may write on their Entry Form a request for judges to interact in a limited/reasonable way with their entry, such as turning a handle, flipping a switch, etc. Judges are not obligated to perform this interaction. It will be up to each judge, at their own discretion, how (if at all) they include this interactive portion in the scoring.
While we encourage entries of new work, entries from other shows are acceptable. Entries from prior years of this Show can only be entered if the entry has been substantially re-worked, and the entry did not receive an award.
Because we do allow previously used entries as stated above, we cannot prohibit all social media photos. However, to protect judges from accusations of favoritism, we strongly discourage anyone from posting photos of entries in the months before the show. Please be sensibly cautious about what you post about your entry to protect yourself and the judges in this regard.
Entries may be removed after 4:00 pm until 4:30 pm on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Any entries left after 4:30 pm will be forfeited and become the property of the event organizers to be disposed of as necessary.
Each entrant grants the Contra Costa Cake Show and Competition a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, and transferable right and license to use, reproduce, create derivative works of, distribute, and publicly display any photos taken by Contra Costa Cake Club members, volunteers, or contractors.
Although precautions will be taken, event organizers and sponsors will not be responsible for theft or damage.
Entrants are responsible for any and all safety issues pertaining to their entries and absolve CCCSAS, the show organizers, and sponsors of any liability related to damage caused to persons or property by their entry.
Each entry must have the competitor’s name, address, phone number, division, and category on the underside of the base display board. The Entry Form (along with any required in-progress photos) must be placed beside the entry. No personal or business identifying marks, advertisements, etc., will be allowed to be displayed along with the entry.
Although we try to minimize it, on rare occasions entries need to be moved after placement. The Show Committee and Head Judge reserve the right to move entries if required, and this will be done with the utmost care.
Electrical outlets are not available for any displays. Any moving or motorized elements on your cake MUSTbe powered by battery, which you will provide.
Check in will take place at Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Dr, San Pablo, CA 94806 Fireside Hall, near the Culinary Building. See Map for assistance