British Baker is delighted to announce the launch of a cupcake cake-off competition in the run up to National Cupcake Week, which takes place from 14-19 September.

British Baker and co-sponsors of National Cupcake Week, Puratos, welcome all professionals up and down the country to join in the fun by submitting their outstanding recipes and designs by 8 July.

The competition is open only to bakery professionals, who want the chance to compete to showcase the best of British cupcakes.

In order to contend for the cupcake king or queen title, we need you to send us a commercial scale recipe and method including topping (one that could be produced in a shop), plus photography, along with an application form, which you can download from the dedicated Cupcake Week page on our website - www.bakeryinfo.co.uk.

Entries will be selected and judged anonymously by a panel of judges, made up of representatives from British Baker, National Cupcake Week’s co-sponsors and an independent expert. The 10 best recipes and images will be shortlisted, and the chosen entrants will then be contacted by the judges.

The panel will then whittle down the shortlist to six winning recipes. Each of these will represent one retail day of the Week, from Monday to Saturday. An overall champion of cupcake champions will also be crowned.

National Cupcake Week is being used to support the sale of cupcakes in any outlet that sells them, from craft bakers to cafes, supermarkets and convenience stores.

Look out for more details on the competition in the next issue of British Baker, out 19 June, and on the official National Cupcake Week Facebook page.

Please remember:

Only professionals who either make or supply cupcakes as a business are invited to enter.

The deadline is 8 July 2009.

Send your entries to cupcakes@william-reed.co.uk or post to Cupcake Competition, Elizabeth Ellis, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT.