http://www.cakedecorationmagazine.co.ukSWEET TALKING WITHI checked the schedule over andover again while working on allmy competition pieces, my dreamsbecame CI nightmares, with everypossible outcome going through mymind. Why? Because it meant somuch to me to show all the peoplethat doubted my decision to start mylittle cake business dream all thoseyears ago, that I can push myself tobe even more than that.I’ve competed four times atCake International and feel fortunateenough to have been awarded fourGolds with my last two entriesreceiving 3rd and 2nd place whichleft me utterly speechless and on theverge of tears!Competing has been and still is agreat sense of achievement for me.I like to push myself more and moreand I won’t lie, I would love a 1stand Best In Show but I know I needto work harder to stand a chance ofeither of those awards.As a competitor you have to befairly thick skinned; you need to beable to accept that your piece may notto be everyone’s taste and if you wantto improve your skills you will needto go for feedback... some will fi ndthis hard to listen to, as they will feellike it is negative criticism but it isnot that at all, it is simply pointers tohelp you improve and get better andto encourage refi nement, fi nishand uniqueness.Squires Kitchen invited me to be ajudge at their show earlier thisyear, to which I happily accepted,so have now been on both sides of thecake show spectrum. I’d like to think``````Turn to p40for our exciting'pre-subscribe'show off er!``````I’m the Nicole Scherzinger for thejudging panel (mainly because mostof the time I have yogurt on my nose)but I’m honest, kind, mindful butabove all encouraging to anyone thatgives it their all. When I was giventhe carved novelty category to judgealong with an experienced judge wespent over three hours deliberatingover all the entries.We did not take our position forgranted and gave each entry so muchtime and consideration; we havecertain guidelines to follow and thatwe did ... I left feeling exhaustedworried and with a horrendousheadache and the worry of ourmarks as we did not want to upsetor discourage people to come backnext year. Feedback was loomingand my anxiety was in full forceas one by one we talked throughimprovements that needed to be madeand suggestions that could gain thecompetitors more points. At thispoint I was feeling more likeSimon Cowell mixed withCraig Revel Horwood, there weretears and tantrums and the backlashon Facebook was harsh (and aimed atme) but I stick by my decisions as I``````followed the guidelines honestly andprofessionally. I tell everyone thattheir next entry needs to stand out,have a good colour palate,be unique, to include as manymediums as possible, to ensure thefi nish is perfect and there is a storybehind the piece and toFOLLOW THE GUIDELINESWORD FOR WORD!Entering competitions is a verypersonal thing, some do it to winawards, some for fun and somebecause it challenges them tobe better than previous years....Whatever your reason, do it foryou. You should only ever be incompetition with yourself, notanyone else; each piece is markedon its own individual merit not incomparison to any other entry onthe table or in the show. We shouldsupport each other and fi x eachother’s crowns as well as acceptthe judge’s decisions... it’s neverpersonal, it’s always constructive,remember that.So be brave, leap in to the magicalworld of cake competitions and Iguarantee you will feel like best inshow...trophy or not.``````“Happy competing and see you on theCake Decoration & Sugarcraft standF50 at Cake International, I’ll bedemonstrating chocolate modellingskills and would love to meet you!”``````September 2018 | 33p32-33_Sweet Talking.indd 33 09/08/2018 17:49
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