Kerry Vincent

November, 2009

Dear friends, contestants and visitors,

Welcome to the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show web site which has been especially set up to provide updated information and entry forms, as well as pictorial inspiration for contestants, visitors and brides. I will be your personal guide for all aspects of the sugar art show. Please contact me at kvsugarart@aol.com with any questions you might have.

Having just concluded an incredible competition this past October, it is now time to look forward. Save the dates for 2010: mark your calendar for setup on October 1, and the competition and exhibition (open to the public) will follow on October 2 and 3 with celebrity demonstrations for your education and entertainment. Our class is going to be a huge surprise and will be announced in January. Please connect with Loydene Barrett to register as soon as the announcement is made to avoid disappointment. Each year the bar is raised, with contestants producing outstanding and innovative work.

Entry forms will also be updated and announced in January.

So what happened in 2009? In and out of the cake world, the words Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show ignites chatter no matter where you are. It sets the standard for the most ambitious work in the United States and is recognized throughout the world. Cake aficionados travel thousands of miles to be a part of this exciting iconic exhibition.

For all those who are fans devoted to cake and sugar art, their dreams were manifest and from dawn until dark the air was abuzz with a sense of magical excitement. Competitors scurried against the clock to get their cakes set up before deadlines expired; judges arrived and could hardly believe the overwhelming task they had before them; and all the while, visitors were entertained by amazing celebrity presenters. Stanton Ho, along with The Three Jays James Rosselle, Joshua John Russell and Jason Ellis, kept the crowds on the edge of their seats. It is the cheapest game in town (or anywhere else, for that matter), with admission at $10 for the general public and everything else provided free of charge. The grounds location #37 is indicated at tulsastatefair.com/fair/exhibits.

The script read, “Create a showpiece depicting SEA & SHORE,” and the contestants responded by writing chapter and verse. I was amazed at the variety of designs and the intricate work this theme elicited. Some portrayed fantasy fun destination representations, while others researched and then meticulously created astonishing showpieces that will go down in the annals of cake perfection.

So, then: Mirror, mirror on the wall . . .
WHO is the finest decorator of them all?

Why, MERCEDES STRACHWSKY, of course!
She really was the “dark horse” this year.
Not many were familiar with her incredible level of expertise,
so to say that her win was an establishment shakeup would be an understatement.

Here’s the list:
Grand Prize Winner: Mercedes Strachwsky of Orlando, Florida
1st Prize Runner Up: Robin Van Hoozer of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2nd Prize Runner Up: Flora Aghababyan Wynn of Las Vegas, Nevada
3rd Prize Runner Up: Edith Hall of Hallsville, Missouri
4th Honorable Mention: Amelia Carbine of Salt Lake City, Utah
5th Honorable Mention: Carolyn Mangold of Montrose, Colorado

FLASH FORWARD

Contestants are already questioning the 2010 theme, which is

MANSIONS & MONASTERIES

This theme is not to be construed as a religious statement but is intended to motivate an odyssey of research using Mansions and Monasteries as key inspiration. Throughout multiple millennia, these architecturally diverse buildings have been the repositories of decorated books of learning, manuscripts, relics, pottery and porcelain, textiles, works of art, paintings, and embroideries, to reference just a teeny bit of what is available.

Each exterior façade and surround has a plethora of wide ranging architectural and cultural variety. Think, for example, of Crete, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, France, England, and also in the United States. Whatever inspiration is chosen, the contestant will be on notice that the interpretation must be light and romantic and applicable to a modern wedding. Contestants don’t have to replicate the buildings inside and out, or entire content – just take some element from them, which in turn will be the catalyst to inspire the cake. Throughout the ages, these buildings have also inspired a long line of architects, and landscape, interior and fashion designers, so why not cake art?

Dressing the bridal table is just like coordinating a wardrobe; all of the complementary elements must be there. The contestant’s chosen theme must be echoed in the table design.

This Grand National Wedding Cake event, the only one of its kind in the United States, attracts food service professionals as well as the bridal market: a huge source of inspiration meant to push the envelope, educate and inspire. This competition is only open to semi-professional, professional and master’s levels.

Competitors: Please know that the level of competition is very high, so make sure you have semi-professional ribbons under your belt before attempting the wedding cake competition.

Entrants who don't care to fuss with all the individual table ornamentation may enter the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, the companion event that focuses on the skill of the decorator without added to-do. Little or no table decoration is required, and contestants may compete against their peers in experience-appropriate divisions, with nine different categories from which to choose.

This annual production is intended to promote the world of sugar craft and the products that are available from our sponsors. Please support them and their products – there is a direct link to each web site where you can access information and equipment that will speed your growth in the art of sugar craft.

For more entertainment throughout the year, don’t forget to watch Food Network programming to see our award-winning artists featured on past and future Challenges and the Sugar Art Show.

Food Network TV has aired countless one-hour broadcasts of this competition during the past five years. Coupled with proven print coverage, we have reached millions of people. The exhibition attracts a local audience of more than 80,000 visitors each year.

The following companies sponsor a special baking division: Guittard Chocolate, Royal Pacific Foods and Nielsen Massey Vanillas. Entrants receive a complimentary variety package of these products for their test kitchens and each of the ingredients is required in the final innovative presentation. The baking competition will be all about MUFFIN MAGIC this year.

Eileen Walker, CSA Sugar Art, will sponsor a category open to all contestants in appropriate divisions, which will be entitled “COUTURE JEWELRY.” The showpiece must include personal artistic design or interpretations of upscale (demi-parures) sets – earrings and necklace, ring and necklace, or bracelet and earrings – or any configuration of at least two pieces to complete a set.

At the moment, a decision is in the process of being made as to the theme of the live competition.

The price of admission to this icon event at $10 is minimal – all visitors can access the show, the exhibition and world-class demonstrations for this tiny cost. Entrants pay extremely low entry fees for their show experience and the hotel rates are the fairest and most inexpensive rates possible – please check back for hotel information as it becomes available.

In accordance with the show’s admittedly very public nature and stated mission to educate and inspire, contestants must know that they are expected to exhibit professional courtesy, general civility and good manners to all at the event. Sportsmanship is a key trademark; attendees must honor the judges and their integrity, and realize that the decision-making is an extremely challenging and tiring process. While final decisions are based on the requirements of the score sheets, professional contestants must also understand that there is a certain element of subjective opinion. We recognize and appreciate that the judges work long hours to determine who is the “best of the best.”

I wish contestants the very best of luck and look forward to welcoming visitors and friends in 2010.

Best wishes,

Kerry Vincent