Cake Decorating Competition Results
The Big E is excited to announce the results of the Creative Arts Department Cake Decorating Competition, which took place on Thurs., Sept. 24, with celebrity guest judge Sandra Lee. After a day filled with cake sculpting, Shukuka “Sara” Hall, of Sara Hall Cake, has “taken the cake” with a first-place win, as well as securing the people’s choice award. In second place was Amy Despatie and the third-place winner was Alyssa Woodbury. The best amateur entry was given to Morgan Lazzara, and the honorable mention award went to Brian Dasilva.
The Cake Decorating contest is a beloved part of the Fair. Each year, bakers and hobby cake decorators have the opportunity to compete against one another in a creative professional competition. This year’s theme was a combination of, The Big E’s annual campaign, “Unexpect Everything,” reminding fairgoers that there is always something whimsical and unexpected happening at the Fair, that one can never truly expect, and America 250, in honor of the momentous anniversary of our nation.
This year and last, The Big E has been delighted to have Sandra Lee, a multiple Emmy and Gracie Award-winning celebrity with expertise in all things home, food, crafts and fashion, host and judge the Cake Decorating Contest. Lee is best known for her appearance on homemaking television series across major networks including Netflix, ABC, NBC, FOX, The Cooking Channel, HBO and more.
First-place winner, Sara Hall, of Wilbraham, Mass., expertly encapsulated the combination of this year’s themes. Hall sculpted and decorated a life-size chicken, clad in a straw hat and surrounded by themes of “Unexpect Everything” at The Big E. Each feather on the chicken was hand cut from edible paper and meticulously placed to mimic the appearance of a live chicken with a bundle of feathers. What made Hall’s cake extra unique was the tail-end, which read “Guess What?” while a fondant speech bubble beside the bird’s head read “Chicken butt!”, a nod to the ages old joke, “Guess what? Chicken butt!”
When asked about the inspiration behind her creation, Hall said, “[My family and I] moved to Massachusetts a few years back and started a flock of chickens. We came across a Blue Splash Maran and named her Ghost. She is my absolute favorite. I always toyed with the idea of making a chicken cake but didn't ‘have a reason’ until The Big E! And ‘Guess What? Chicken Butt!’ was a fun phrase that I thought would resonate with kids and adults alike. I like to have some fun when I can.”
The Big E is delighted to be a place where cake decorators can express their creativity and let imagination run free! Visit Sara Hall Cake for more information and be sure to check her social media for updates. Additional information is available on TheBigE.com.