Cake Smackdown
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This was the first completion that I have ever entered here at the Art Institute of Wisconsin. Needless to say, I was extremely nervous and paranoid!! I was able to interact with other students from the culinary program and found that there was a great sense of community here. This definitely put me a bit more at ease. I prepared coconut pound cake cupcakes filled with coconut crème, topped with a cream cheese and vanilla bean frosting, drizzled with a strawberry reduction, and sprinkled with toasted coconut for crunch. It was a fun event in that all of the contestants got a chance to interact with the public, set up our stations, plate our creations, and present our dish to everyone at the event. During the event Chef Claire was extremely supportive and offered valuable guidance. It was awesome to me that even at an event such as this that she could find teachable moments such as timing, presentation, interaction, and professionalism. I was both excited and shocked when the announced the winners of the contest. I won the first place prize!!! Wow!!! It was both energizing and eye opening for what opportunities are out there. The experience was priceless!