First Annual Cupcake Wars

The Edgewater-Leonia community came together to create an annual cupcake war that encourages students to present cupcakes judged by culinary professionals, cupcake enthusiasts, parents, teachers and community members to make a well-rounded judging panel.

Students presented a total of 24 standard size cupcakes on Monday, February 24 to Room 104-105. Contestants were judged on Best Use of Technique, Most Creative, Best Overall Taste and Best Presentation.  A total of 13 judges, including one celebrity judge, Johnny Manganiotis, the owner of Mr. Cupcakes, decided the four winners who will be receiving multiple cupcake related items and gift cards. Mr. Cupcakes is located in New Jersey and New York, and they are known for providing the customers with the best cupcakes.

The winner of Best use of Technique was Gabriella Lopez, the Most Creative was Hannah Joo, Best Overall Taste was Ji-Eun Lee, and Best Presentation was an eighth grader, Naya Reid.

Ms. Gabrielsen is a culinary arts teacher in charge of this event and is also in charge of Leonia Academy of Culinary Arts. Ms. Gabrielsen and students in LACA prepared a lot for this event. Ms. Gabrielsen says, “We created the whole thing, came up with rules, advertisement, created custom stamps, and worked on everything from start to finish to make this happen and to make everything special.” A total of 25 contestants submitted 24 cupcakes on Monday, which is a total of 600 cupcakes that the LACA had to sell.

The winner was announced on Tuesday, February 25. Cupcakes were sold on Monday through Wednesday in front of the main office. After school, many students hovered over the fascinating cupcakes that were being sold for a dollar each and five dollars for six cupcakes. The six cupcakes come in a customized box, which LACA stamped their logo on.

Ji-Eun Lee, who won overall Best Taste is a member of the LACA and presented mini-Oreo Cheesecake cupcakes for the competition. Before the winners were announced that a lot of the she said, “I think I have what it takes and I tried my best with the help of my dad, who is also a baker.” After the winners were announced, Ji-eun thought, “At first when they first announced my name on the announcement, I was really shocked. I couldn’t believe that I actually won because this was the first time I won something. I feel really happy now and proud that I am actually good at something.”

Ms. Gabrielsen encourages all students in the High School and Middle School to enter the Cupcake Wars next year. All the judges and contestants were proud to be part of the first annual Cupcake wars.