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.
JUDGING
Do not disturb judges during the judging session.
Judging of the entries will be completed by teams of qualified judges selected by the Show Committee. The judges’ decisions will be final. The judges will complete a comment sheet for each Competition, Showpiece, and The Guittard Cupcake Challenge. The comment sheets will be distributed to the entrant after the Awards Ceremony or mailed out to those who do not pick them up. Judging will be conducted in a consensus style.
To not cause any misunderstanding with preferential treatment on who will judge entries, Judges for the show are not members or affiliated with the Contra Costa Cake Club. Only in extreme circumstances will a member of the local club be asked to judge. This competition is blind judged; entries will be coded during the competition judging, no names are visible during that time.
Awards will be at the judges’ discretion based on the criteria. There is not automatically a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award.
Judges will be given a sheet explaining what the show is looking for in each category. Competitors will receive those sheets at the end of the show.
The Show Committee enforces policy and procedures. Any issues regarding proper placement, originality, etc., brought to the attention of the Show Committee during the show will be directed to the Head Judge so that a determination can be made. Any entry deemed in poor taste will be disqualified and immediately removed from public view. Judges and/or Show Committee have the right to re-classify an entry, if necessary.
Judging for the Divisional Competition is not based on taste. Entries are only judged according to the criteria listed in the rules, the judging information sheets, and against only those entries in the same Division and Category. Judges will place all entries in the Divisional Competition into recognition levels that will be posted on cards next to each entry along with the competitor’s name on Sunday morning, October 8, 2023.
The levels are as follows: Gold 90 – 100 points Silver 80 – 89 Bronze 70 points or below
The scoring system for the Divisional Competition will be based on the following criteria:
Skill and Precision of Techniques (20 pts)
Originality and Creativity (20 pts)
Difficulty of Techniques (15 pts)
Number of Techniques Used (15 pts)
Proportion, Balance, and Use of Color (15 pts)
Overall Eye Appeal/Judge’s Discretion (15 pts)
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