The Retail Bakers of America (RBA), McLean, Va., is accepting Creative Decorating Competition applications from cake decorators who do not belong to an RBA affiliate association. This is the second year RBA has opened its competition to those who may not have an active regional bakery association. If selected, the independent contestants will have the opportunity to compete against decorators chosen by regional bakery associations at RBA's 8th Annual Pillsbury Grand Champion Creative Decorating Competition to be held at the American Bakery Exposition in Atlantic City, Sept. 21-23.

Independent applicants are selected through a portfolio review process conducted by RBA's Creative Decorating Committee. Applicants need to submit a portfolio of cake designs to the committee by June 30 that includes: wedding, fondant, sculpted, floral and seasonal. In addition, they must be RBA members and have a minimum of four years of decorating experience.

Contestants will compete over two days for $22,000 in prize money and a chance to win the Pillsbury Grand Champion Trophy. The decorators will have eight hours to produce cakes in each of the six categories: flowers and sprays with borders, wedding cake, rolled fondant, custom design cakes, sculpted cakes, and creative decorating free style.

For more information or registration materials, contact hdang@rbanet.com or call 703/610-0248.