First Posted: 2/9/2015

LA PLUME — Judging a cupcake challenge definitely has its perks.

Sampling cupcakes created by local bakers is a “dream come true for someone with a sweet tooth,” said Maggie Hemak of Jessup. She was one of three judges who taste tested a variety of creations by local bakers at the second Cupcake Challenge at Evans Hall in the Hibbard Campus Center at Keystone College on Feb. 3.

Proceeds were donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

The event was planned for December, but was rescheduled due to a snowstorm and organized by students enrolled in Keystone College associate professor Brenda Lidy’s Events Planning class. Kelly Fisher, Weatherly, a Keystone College sophomore was a committee member.

“They (attendees) hand the baker a ticket and they get to take a cupcake off the table and sample it and then they vote for their favorite one,” explained Fisher. “We announce the winners and the winning bakers get plaques.”

Three judges, Hemak, Brenda Bistocchi of Scranton, and Kayleigh Delfino of Olyphant, voted on the best taste, original and most artistic and attendees voted for the people’s choice.

Nine bakers participated in the challenge: PersoNELLIzed Cakes, Winner: Best Artistic; Marty’s Market; Super Awesome Alicia, Culinary Arts graduate and current business major and winner for most original; Delightful Bakers; Duffy’s Coffee House; Keystone Konfections, Winner: People’s Choice; Chef Tom; Sodexo; Lauren Deily, Sodexo; and Pittston Bakery, Winner: Best Taste.

Hemak said she’s a creative person and was looking for creativity and lots of details, not only in the cupcake, but in the actual table set up — the display.

“I notice some people went all out and some did not. It’s the little extra things they thought of…,” Hemak said.

Lauren Deily, Keystone College Culinary Arts graduate and Sodexo dining services campus baker said her theme was “good versus evil.” She used red and white tulle to decorate her display.

“My good cupcake is white chocolate angel-filled with fresh whipped cream and my purgatory cupcake is a Hazelnut Frangelico cupcake with vanilla buttercream topped with a chocolate hazelnut crème puff. My sin cupcake has a chocolate truffle filling with Oreos on top,” said Deily.

Last year her theme was “winter wonderland, but this year and I want to have a theme of good versus evil, because everybody calls me the devil here (at Keystone College) because I make them eat desserts all the time.”

What did students learn from hosting the event that drew more than 100 people to Evans Hall?

“There’s a lot that comes with event planning that you don’t even think about…” Fisher said. “…Organizing the rooms, calling the judges, advertising, social media…”