Part 1: The Arrival

Although it wasn’t my first year going to the National Capital Area Cake Show this year was very different. This was the first time I entered a cake in a contest so I wasn’t just a by-stander I was a participant. I arrived at the cake show all blurry-eyed, nervous, and embarrassed. I was up most of the night before putting the finishing touches on my cake entry. Since I had been to the show the year before I knew how expert the cakes were. My cake was no were near the caliber of the cakes that get ribbons. Before arriving at the show I didn’t care about placing, I just wanted to enter a cake to say “I did it, I pushed myself to try something new, and that was a big enough accomplishment for me”.

Then I pulled into the parking lot and saw everyone unloading their masterpieces from the car and I suddenly got the feeling that I wanted to do more than just enter a cake. I want to measure up, I want to win next time. Just when I was feeling accomplished for completing a cake I felt unworthy to be entering a cake and I became quite ashamed of the piece I was submitting for judging. I tried to sneak in with my cake and register. But there was nowhere to hide, bright lights, discerning eyes, and professional photographers all greeted me and my cake show piece at the door. I put my cake on the table, did a few more touch ups, took a few pictures, then had it photographed.

I started to walk around with the goal of taking pictures of every cake that was in the cake room. I was just in awe of the cakes. Some of the beginner cakes were out of this world, much better than anything I could imagine myself doing. Taking the walk along the Master’s Cake lane was like taking a walk on the Hollywood walk of fame. Seeing these lovely works of art by celebrity cake artists, people that inspire me, and teach me. People that I “stalk” every day, looking at their websites, blogs, facebook pages, and youtube videos. They had cakes on display in the same room as me. We were walking in the same room. Our cakes are merely feet apart. OMG! OMG! OMG! This is like a dream come true! I was on cloud nineteen! This was the best experience I’ve ever had, what an honor!

…….stay tuned for Part II, III, IV, and V