National Cupcake Week is back! From 14 to 20 September we shall be all about the little cakes and we want bakers to get involved as well.
Apart from getting the consumers in your shops excited, we want you to show us your talents by entering the National Cupcake Championships. There are six categories: Classic; Chocolate; Free From; Made with Alcohol; Seasonal; and Children’s – so there is something for everyone.
For those who need more convincing check out these nine indisputable reasons to enter the National Cupcake Championships.
1. Generate more interest in your business
Being named as a finalist - or better yet a winner – is nothing short of fantastic for business. Previous winners and runners-up have all reported an uplift in orders and interest following their triumphs and this year it could be you. Who doesn’t want to raise their bottom line?
2. Spread the word about your cakes
With something solid to promote, local press will certainly pick up your win and spread the message around your local area. Many competitors also get regional press and British Baker often invites previous winners back for media appearances on TV and radio. Last year saw a former winner star on ITV flagship programme This Morning. If you have ambitious plans to become a known name and expand your business, this competition can give you the ammunition you need to project that name far and wide.
3. Challenge yourself
Challenging yourself is the way to progress your career and enjoy your daily work. When you set aside some time and remove yourself from the daily grind, who knows what you’ll come up with. It is also a chance to use your creative side to develop something that may not necessarily fit the mould at your bakery.
4. Meet your peers and industry icons
The benefits of networking within your peer group are obvious – you can exchange news about the industry, catch up with old acquaintances and make new ones. The National Cupcake Championships will bring together 60 finalists across the six categories, as well as a 12-strong judging panel of experts. The judges will be able to give feedback and business advice for competitors to put to work in their own businesses.
5. Learn chocolate art
Our sponsor Barry Callebaut is putting on two unmissable workshops for our finalists. As a chocolate specialist, you can expect to learn something new. There will be more details to come on www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk, so keep checking.
6. Sample your competition
Every good businessman knows the importance of keeping a consistent eye on the competition. What’s hot now? What’s the next big trend? The National Cupcake Championships offer the chance for bakers to check out the product development of their peers and take learnings back to their own business.
7. Get the recognition you deserve
Being selected as a finalist is a great boon for business as it cements your skills as a baker and gives you an accolade to show off to all. Bakers sometimes need that extra boost, when you factor in the toll those early morning starts take...
8. Get everyone talking about you
Even if you don’t win or become a finalist, just entering gives you something to shout about. Tell your customers and get them involved with suggestions or cupcakes they would like to see, and drum up support on your social media networks.
9. Treat yourself to a day out!
Get out of the rat race for a day, meet some new people and eat some cake. We all need a break sometimes.
Keep checking www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk for more information and tweet us using the @CupcakeWeek name and hashtags #CupcakeWeek and #CupcakeChampionships. We are nothing without you.
Deadline: 17 July
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