(from left) Rick Goodman, IDDBA president; Doris Irias Valera, Publix Supermarkets Inc.; RJonathan Armistead, Hy-Vee Inc.; and Trish Horsley, Price Cutter Supermarkets

RJonathan Armistead, Hy-Vee Inc., Columbia, Mo., won the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association's (IDDBA) 13th annual Cake Decorating Challenge held at the Dairy-Deli-Bake 2008 seminar and expo in New Orleans, June 1-3.

Second place went to Doris Irias Varela, Publix Super Markets Inc., Miami, and the third place winner was Trish Horsley, Price Cutter Supermarkets, Poteau, Okla.

“There are other cake decorating contests all over the country that usually allow decorators to enter one or more categories and to show off their specialty. This event is different because it's really a marathon,” said IDDBA Executive Director Carol Christison.

The challenge occurred over three days of the IDDBA expo. On Sunday, June 1, each contestant decorated a wedding cake. On Monday, June 2, each contestant decorated enough cakes to fill one multi-tiered, 8-ft. bakery case. On Tuesday, June 3, each contestant decorated three cakes of their choosing, one from each category: special occasion; theme/event; and decorator's interpretation of the IDDBA's Dairy-Deli-Bake show theme, “Super Mardi Gras.”

“A contest like this is a contest of nerves, stamina, and outstanding creativity. We are delighted that, after 13 years, we're still pulling in people who have nerves of steel and frosting in their blood,” Christison added.