The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) has named the three decorators who will be competing in the 14th annual Cake Decorating Challenge to be held June 7-9 at IDDBA’s Dairy-Deli-Bake 2009 seminar and expo in Atlanta. The three decorators, who will receive an all expense-paid trip to the show, are: Anne Freeman, Hy-Vee, Ames, Iowa; Charra Jarosz, Quality Food Centers, Seattle; Kim Oborne, Publix Super Markets Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

They were chosen from among 73 entrants from 40 supermarket chains. “Beautiful art can be created in clay, metal, wood, canvas or cake,” said Carol Christison, IDDBA’s executive director. “This year’s crop of Cake Challenge contestants has demonstrated the ability to create beautiful pictures and edible memories in a variety of formats. With almost double the number of entries that we had last year, in-store decorators are embracing the process as an art form. Instead of canvas, they’re using cakes, and instead of paint, they’re using icing to create works of art.”

The challenge consists of three phases. For the first phase, each contestant has to decorate enough cakes to fill one, multi-tiered, 8-ft. bakery case. In phase two, each contestant must decorate a wedding cake. And, for phase three, each contestant must decorate one cake for each of three categories: special occasion, theme/event and decorator’s interpretation of the show theme–The Show of Shows.