2nd

I have so much to say...
To begin...I must start on January 21st..."Harvest Bear Cupcake Wars". Scenario: vendors (bakers) from the New Bern Farmer's Market participate to raise awareness and community involvement (to let people know that the market is open year round). The brain child of this whole operation belongs to a young man by the name of John (you can see him at the market every Saturday helping out his mom at Sea Glass Cafe or taking donations for the flag pole). I can honestly say that I am super impressed with this young lad...he had this entire scheme of who, what, when, where and why...ummm...I did not have the mental capacity at his age to organize such an event...With some assistance the criteria for the competition were outlined and it is as follows (I admit that I rage deleted all of the emails in regards to the rules and regulations...immature...I know):

• a variety of 3 cupcakes (1 a bear would eat, 1 from a vegetable you can find at the market and 1 of the participant's choosing)
•  Cupcakes were to be decorated with a "bear" theme
• set up must have been completed by 8:00 (judging was scheduled for 8:15)
• display must hold 6 dozen cupcakes (or most of them)
• display was to be no larger than  20 inches wide by 40 inches high?

Judging criteria (let me be clear...there were no categories):

• taste and texture
• followed directions
• decoration
• display

In total there were 5 participants...and I came in 2nd (that hurts)

I will now use this fancy blog as my sounding board...b/c it sucked...
There were 3 judges from the community and each participant was given the opportunity to present their product and the judges were given the opportunity to view each participant's display...I proudly displayed all of my hard work and effort to each judge and I presented my cupcakes to the judges for tasting...with a smile, of course. Customers were able to purchase a 1/2 dozen box for $8.00 and fill their box from each participating vendor (pretty sweet deal ;). I want this to be clear...I love The New Bern Farmer's Market...and I adore each vendor...At the end of the day they announced the winner...and I had come in 2nd :(.
Let me explain why this "hurt" so badly...I am The Wild Cupcake...it's all I do...I only do cupcakes...if I'm not the best at cupcakes at the market...then what am I doing? I am a perfectionist and I get nervous each time I make a delivery to a client...I want them to love it...and I felt like I wasn't good enough...but then it dawned on me...I am The Wild Cupcake...I'm not going to let a competition stop me from pursuing my dreams.  

<-----In order to explain the events accurately...I must share with you this amazing lady...Amy...my bestie here in NC...the entire week of the competition I was super busy with orders and what not...I didn't have a spare moment to create a display worthy of competition...she showed up that Saturday at 7:30 in the morning and put together an amazing display (the Friday night before the competition...I shoved a whole bunch of "Stuff" into a box and I was going to "wing" it) and kept me grounded the entire time...You see...she's my friend...regardless of how well I do...or how happy or sad I am...she's there for me with a smile on her face and sweat on her brow...ready to help...I <3 you Amy...thank you for everything.

Overall...I wouldn't change a thing...I feel as if I presented a product true to my standards and reputation...my display was wedding worthy...and I had amazing company to share my victory with...my only regret...not getting my own $8.00 box to drown my sorrows in ;)...