2017 Winners!: Vegan Cupcake Competition at SoCal VegFest (Costa Mesa, CA, USA)
/
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2017 SoCal VegFest Vegan Competition (Costa Mesa, CA, USA)! Thank you to our wonderful Judges Chef Tara Punzone of The Pizza Plant , Chef Ian Beach of Exhibit at the Art Institute of California Orange County, and The Vegan Black Metal Chef; as well as to our enthusiastic volunteers Jeanne Brexa, Darleen Goldberg, Ben Rothfuss, and Livia Hooson. Thank you to everyone who entered...competition was tough. Many VegFest attendees were impressed by the quality of entries and took lots of photos and videos. We hope that everyone was inspired by this celebration of vegan cupcakes even if they didn't win an award. Hope to see everyone again next year!
Elite/Professional Division, Chocolate Category
1st Place and BEST OF SHOW (Elite/Professional): Nicole Cantrell of Snopel's Bakeshop -- Chocolate Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Buttercream and Vanilla Bourbon Toffee
2nd Place: Romina Narang of Light and Healthy Desserts -- Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Cupcake / Death By Chocolate
3rd Place: Breanna Schmit of Abloom Bakeshop -- Chocolate Matcha Mint Cupcakes
Elite/Professional Division, Specialty Category
1st Place: Leanne Winslow -- Vanilla Earl Grey Cupcakes with Lavender Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream
2nd Place: Lesli Lonergan of Two Birds Baking Company -- Dulce de No Leche Cupcakes
3rd Place: Mandi Barstow of Positively Frosted -- Banana BOO-urbon Maple Cupcakes
General Division (combined Chocolate & Specialty)
1st Place and Best of Show (General): Sandra Sueoka --Zucchini Carob Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
2nd Place: Mia Bilello -- Key Lime Cupcakes with Lime Infused Frosting
3rd Place: Adija Raintree -- Triple Lemon Delight Cupcakes
Vegan love and gratitude to our 2017 Official Judges: Chef Ian Beach of Exhibit; Chef Tara Punzone of The Pizza Plant; and The Vegan Black Metal Chef (special thanks to VBMC, who was a last-minute addition to our judging lineup!).
Vegan hugs & kisses to our Cupcake Registration Volunteers Darleen Goldberg, Ben Rothfuss, and Jeanne Brexa; and our Awards Ceremony MC Livia Hooson.
