The National Cupcake Championships 2016 are officially open for entries from the great and the good of the cupcake world.

Taking place as part of National Cupcake Week (19-25 September), this year’s competition is hosted and sponsored by AB Mauri and sponsored by Bako Select. It will be judging entrants across five categories: Classic Cupcake, Made with Chocolate, Made with Alcohol, Free-from, and Seasonal.

Businesses of all sizes can take part and entries are open until 15 July, 2016. The shortlisted finalists will be invited to AB Mauri’s Centre of Excellence on 14 September to take part in various masterclasses, present their cupcakes for judging and see the winners named.

To enter, visit the National Cupcake Week website.

British Baker’s Alice Cooke gives the lowdown on the competition and why you should enter: