Have you ever heard of a Cake Decorator, or a Cake Artist being described as 'award-winning', or  'internationally famous' and wondered how that actually happens? Well, that's what we're going to be talking about, on today's episode. We're going to be discussing competitions, how to get into them, how to do them and even the emotional side of competing. Listen in to find out more.

A couple of weeks ago, I came back from attending Cake International, which is held every year in November, in Birmingham, in the UK. It is the biggest Cake Show in the world. Although there are other Cake Shows, this is considered to be the golden one, because it really is so massive. In fact, it's quite overwhelming, with so many people there! 

One of the hallmarks of Cake International is that it has this really huge competition, with about fifteen hundred competition pieces submitted this year. It really is the most amazing thing you've ever seen in your life! (I have posted a couple of my favorites on Instagram.) Listen in today, as I discuss this incredible show with its fabulous competition and beautiful artwork and also, competitions in general and the emotional aspect of competing.

Show highlights:

• How I felt about myself and my skills as a decorator, being around all that really beautiful artwork.
• So many of the pieces felt so far from cake - they were so untouchably incredible, more like sculptures.
• What I found very fascinating, about people's reactions and comments, around the competition.
• How to actually get into these kinds of competitions.
• Why it would be a good idea to get in touch with people who have entered a Cake Competition before, if you'd like to enter one yourself.
• The two basic types of competitions that there are in life.
• Using competition with others as a motivator.
• When healthy competition is a good thing for us.
• Why I've never been competitive with what I call value metrics.
• I will always ask for feedback if I did not win a competition. Sometimes the feedback can be really frustrating, though!
• I was in also in the UK to attend the Cake Master's Award Ceremony.
• What really excited me and made me proud about being nominated in the Best Book category.
• Looking for the silver lining, the lesson, or the gratitude in it, when entering a competition.
• Television Competitions- are they really worth entering?
• The stress level of competitions.
• One of the nicest things I've ever learned about competitions, from Bronwyn Webber.

Resources: 

Cake International

Bronwyn Webber

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