Second Annual IE Cupcake Fair Announces Winners

It was all about cupcakes in downtown Riverside recently, when IEShineOn.com hosted the second annual Inland Empire Cupcake Fair “Cupcakes for a Cause” at the Riverside Convention Center. “Last year, we learned some things, and this year put on an even better event,” organizer Su Pak of IEShineOn.com said. “I appreciate all the bakers, vendors, volunteers and our sponsor California Cake Decorations & Supply Co. It shows there is support for this type of event. I also want to thank the organizations I worked with, California Riverside Ballet and Community Connect.” The two organizations received a portion of the proceeds from this event. IEShineOn.com has announced the winners of this year’s Cupcake Fair. Cupcakes were judged in amateur and professional categories, with awards for the best overall and for the most unique ingredients. The Inland Empire Cupcake Fair had two contests whose winners were determined by event guests. “Most Popular Cupcake,” went to [desi]gn cakes & cupcakes, whose Buffalo Chicken cupcake was voted the best. “Best Decorated Booth” went to Dreamy Little Cupcakes. In the professional category, the first place Most Unique Ingredient winner was Viva Los Cupcakes, which won with their “Tamal con Mole” cupcake, which is a corn cake with mole frosting topped with a corn (tamal) shell. The Los Angeles-based cupcake baker Karina Jiminez, sells her products primarily at festivals throughout southern California. Viva Los Cupcakes also took second place for Professional Best Overall for its Margarita cupcake. Second place in the Most Unique Ingredient category was Simply Fancy Cuisine’s Hummingbird Cupcake, which is a southern-style cupcake topped with coconut and pineapple flowers. Simply Fancy Cuisine sells cupcakes and other bakery treats at the Redlands City Farmers’ Market and at the Grove Charter School Farmer’s Market, both of which take place in Redlands on Saturdays. Third place in the Most Unique Ingredient category was KML Event’s Lemon Lavender Cupcake. KML Events is a mother-daughter events planning and catering team in Ontario, which also sells cupcakes on special orders and at various community festivals. The Professional first place Best Overall winner was Queen Sin’s Cupcakes Caramel Macchiato cupcake. Queen Sin’s Cupcakes are available for purchase on an almost daily basis at Everything Sweet Cake and Candy Supplies, 1235 Indiana Ct., Suite 102 in Redlands, and can also be special ordered. Third place professional best overall was MyCuppyLittleCake’s “Carrot Cuppycake.” In the Amateur competition Cup2myCakes, is the Amateur Best Overall winner with her “Sock It To Me” cupcake. Her “Brown Sugar Kahlua” cupcakes took the prize for the Most Unique Ingredient cupcake Second place Amateur Best Overall winner was Blukat Sugar Art, with “Double Chocolate cupcakes.” The winner described these cupcakes as made with double chocolate, dipped in chocolate ganache, frosted with chocolate whip cream frosting and topped with a chocolate covered strawberry. The third place Amateur Best Overall was Jamie’s Cakes, which won with “Vanilla Coke” cupcakes. “A tasty time was had by all,” said Pak.