The hunt for the nation’s best cupcake baker is on, as the 2013 National Cupcake Championships are now open for entries.

This year the competition has been revamped and, as well as the existing professional competition, we shall also be holding a competition for home bakers.

And that is not the only thing that is different; this year we have teamed up with Cake International, with the finals of the competition to be held at the Cake International show on 9 November, at Birmingham NEC.

There are four categories to choose from: Classic, Free-from, Themed, and Made With Alcohol, and bakers will be able to enter one cupcake per category (a maximum of four entries).

All the details on the categories, and how you can enter can be found at www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk. Entry is online only and there will be two forms to choose from - professional or home-baking - so make sure you fill in the correct form.

The National Cupcake Championships form part of National Cupcake Week (16-22 September 2013), organised by British Baker.

National Cupcake Week is sponsored by Tesco, BFP Wholesale and Secret Ingredients, supplied by Orchard Valley Foods Limited.