Brentwood, NY - April 11th, 2016 - Erin Hoele’s summer sangria cupcake with passion fruit mousse bested the competition as 17 Suffolk County Community College baking program students clashed in a battle for judges’ taste buds in the College’s Culinary Arts Program first-of-its-kind Cupcake Wars competition last Friday.
 
Each student competitor had three hours to create a dozen cupcakes consisting of a cake, filling, icing and decoration.

The student combatants were judged on sanitation, organization, taste, texture, consistency, appearance and creativity by a panel of five professionals.
 
Who battered the competition? The winners are:
 

• 1st Place - $300, baker’s tools gift bag, gift certificate for a uniform and a baking book
  
  • Erin Hoelle of Ridge, NY - Summer Sangria Cupcake with Passion Fruit Mousse
     
•  2nd Place - $200, baker’s tools gift bag, gift certificate for a uniform and a baking book
  
  • Lynn Paterson of West Babylon, NY - Citrus Cupcake with Yuzo Curd and Tequilla Lime filling

• 3rd Place - $100, baker’s tools gift bag, gift certificate for a uniform and a baking book
  
  • Katelyn Stahl of Islip, NY - Chocolate Chili Cupcake with Chili Fudge and Orange Pastry Cream

Judging the competition were:

• Brian Fishman - owner of Sweet Karma Bakery located in Plainview, NY. The contest winner will intern at Brian’s shop working directly under his guidance.
   
• David Dombroff - owner of The Rolling Pin Bakeries in Setauket and Bay Shore, NY
   
• Richard Freilich - Director of The Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts Program
   
• Christina DeLustro - Coordinator of The Baker’s Workshop at Suffolk County Community College
   
• Richard Amster - Fulltime Chef Instructor of the Suffolk County Community College Baking Program