Drum roll please. This is all legit, meaning yes, there really is an event dedicated to cupcakes. In the UK, there’s a whole week dedicated to cupcakes, with a name to go along with it: National Cupcake Week. Below is a summary of some of the best:
Best Cupcake Crafted forNational Cupcake Champion Jennifer Buls – Absolute Treats, St Clear, Camarthenshire – www.absolutetreats.co.uk
Best Decorated Cupcake – Rosalind MillerPeggy’s Cupcakes, Londonwww.peggyscupcakes.co.uk
Best Free From Cupcake – Jennifer Buls – Absolute Treats, St Clear, Camarthenshirewww.absolutetreats.co.uk
Best Presented Cupcake – Victoria Forward – Let Them Eat Cake, Waterlooville – www.letthem-eatcake.com
Most Innovative Cupcake Rufaro Matsinde – Cocktail Couture – CC Treats, London – www.cocktailcouture.co.uk
Multiple Outlets – Sean Coughlan – Munch@Coughlans, Thornton Heathwww.cakesandplatters.co.uk
Best Tasting Cupcake – Jennifer Buls – Absolute Treats, St Clear, Carmarthenshire – www.absolutetreats.co.uk
London baker Mellissa Morgan aka Ms Cupcake has been named the UK’s brightest new star in the baking industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.
Mellissa, a former theatre worker and teacher, has been crowned Rising Star in the annual Baking Industry Awards 2011 after impressing judges with her storming success since introducing the capital city’s first vegan bakery shop just 18 months ago.
Launching the business from her kitchen, Mellissa first wowed shoppers at London’s Greenwich Market with her range of vegan delicacies before opening her first shop, in Brixton, South London, where she now employs seven staff.
Her range includes indulgent brownies, cookies and cupcakes, as well as a plethora of other sugar, soya and gluten-free treats.
Mellissa’s efforts were recognised last night in front of more than 800 industry guests at a gala awards ceremony at London’s Park Lane Hilton, as she was presented with her award by TV presenter Richard Madeley and award sponsor David Powell.
The judges were particularly impressed with Mellissa’s passion for baking and her signature cupcakes, which come in more than 100 seasonal flavours, including watermelon, blueberry cheesecake and Pimm’s! She describes her recipes as “classic American with a British flavour twist”.
They also admired how Canadian-born Mellissa had stamped her personality on the business and her “great flair and creativity in developing a unique product range”.
Mellissa also impressed with her clear strategy for growth, including planning a manufacturing site and developing national distribution for her range. Her fame is spreading so quickly that she has already been chosen as a supplier for the 2012 Olympics.
Martyn Leek, editor of awards organiser British Baker magazine, said: “Mellissa’s enthusiasm and passion for baking, coupled with her dedication to developing the tastiest treats for people following a strict vegan diet make her a very worthy winner.”
Celebrating the award, Mellissa put her success in winning the BIA’s first ever Rising Star award down to being hands-on in the bakery, and the fact that she loved meeting customers at lectures and roadshows. “Their feedback inspires new recipes and ideas – like selling ingredients and cooking equipment,” said Mellissa.
The annual Baking Industry Awards is the premier event in the UK bakery calendar and has been recognising industry excellence for 24 years. Run by British Baker magazine, prizes are awarded across 12 categorie.
Ms Cupcake ran a competition during National Cupcake Week, 12-18 September, to find the best vegan home baker. To find out more click here. Photo credit: pinkcakebox.com.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
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