Looking Back at CupcakeCampDC 2013

DC's fourth annual CupcakeCamp was held this past weekend at the Brixton. Many of you showed up and ate some delicious cupcakes, won great raffle prizes, and donated to a good cause. We gathered up your feedback/voting slips and got your entries for "Crowd Favorite" award winner and your thoughts about CupcakeCampDC.

FEEDBACK

All of you said the venue was great! Thanks so much to the Brixton for accommodating us and for allowing us to enjoy the wonderful weather on the roof. Hopefully you were able to check out the Brixton if you had never been there before (72% of you hadn't!).

Organization: This year we switched it up and gave bakers aprons instead of t-shirts. This streamlined the process since there we no longer size or color choices. We continued our VIP idea from last year, but encouraged VIPs to come an hour earlier to spread out the eating and offer an additional incentive. Thanks to Harris Teeter for donating the cupcake containers for VIP donators again this year.

Charity: This was our first year choosing Becky's Fund as the charity for CupcakeCampDC. This year we were able to raise $1,621.04 for their educational support programs and direct support program for victims affected by domestic violence. Thank you all for your support and effort in changing the lives of those affected by domestic violence. We had a great presentation by Becky as well as an emotional story from a survivor of domestic violence. Hopefully you were able to stop by their table on the roof and receive more information about their programs and enter to win some silent auction prizes.


Thanks so much to our Sponsors: Harris Teeter Pentagon Row (Cupcake Containers), Patchwork Designs Aprons), Stephanie Tsong (Brochures), South Block Smoothie (Raffle Prizes), Starbucks Metro Center (Raffle Prizes), Oandasan Family (Raffle Prizes), Yida Li (Photography), Bake Shop, DJ, Uber DC, Cupcake Sponsors: Sprinkles, Happy Tart, Bakehouse, Cruncakes, Best Buns, Cake Love, Sweet n Delicious; Media Sponsors: Girl Meets Food, Cloture Club, Johnna Knows Good Food, Capital Cooking Show, Yelp DC, and of course all of our wonderful volunteers and bakers!

Please stay tuned here for updates on CupcakeCampDC 2013, 2014, and other CupcakeCamp related going-ons. If you are interested in being a judge or volunteering for next year, contact us at dc.cupcakecamp@gmail.com.

Also, if you are not able to attend but you have signed up as a baker or volunteer, please let us know you will not be attending. Half the bakers and over half of the volunteers did not show up and did not let us know they were not coming. Thankfully we received wonderful donations from Sprinkles, Happy Tart, Bakehouse, Crunkcakes, Best Buns, Sweet N Delicious and Cake Love so we were able to supplement some of the missing cupcakes. But, there were attendees that arrived later during the event that had to be turned away due to lack of cupcakes. Since we were short on volunteers, we couldn't inform attendees about the raffle prizes or silent auctions, or else we could have raised much more money for Becky's Fund!

AWARD RESULTS

The judge panel chose the winners for best tasting cupcakes and you, the attendees, wrote your favorite cupcakes in to vote for the crowd favorite. There were four judges and they tallied up their scores and averaged them out to determine the winners. 

First Place: Banana Pudding Cupcakes

Second Place: Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

 

Third Place: Midnight Cupcakes

Volunteer Favorite: Monika's Snickers Cupcakes

Crowd Favorite: Olivia's Amaretto Tiramisu Cupcakes/Megan's Midnight Cake/Amanda's Red Velvet Cupcakes/Janvier's Red Velvet Cupcakes/Kristen's Oktoberfest

(Note: Crowd Favorite was "Amaretto", but we couldn't find Amaretto on the judging sheet. Later, we found out Olivia had switched her flavor up to Amaretto Tiramisu instead of Almond Tiramisu but then were notified that some votes for Megan's were titled "Amaretto" due to the frosting. We went to the next high scoring which was "Red Velvet" -- same problem there! The first non-duplicated flavor name with a high score was Kristen's Oktoberfest, which was the award handed out at the event)

 PHOTO POOL

There were some great shots taken at CupcakeCampDC! Please add any photos you might have to the Flickr Group and the slideshow below will be automatically updated.

Vendors

Did you miss the jewelry bar or free makeovers? They're both continuing their Becky's Fund specials online.

• Ariel's Origami Owl Becky's Fund Party
• Heather's Younique Online Becky's Fund Party

Press Coverage

Have a link or post about CupcakeCampDC? Let us know and we'll add it to this list.

• Johnna Knows Good Food
• Cupcakes Take the Cake
• Yelp DC
• Reston Glen Apartments

Baker Spotlight: Janvier from Sweet Treats Cupcakery

Sweet Treats is your solution to elegant indulgence. Since 2009, they have been satisfying the sweet tooth of the DMV area with the best homemade cupcakes, cakes, cookies, truffles and other treats. They use fresh and wholesome ingredients and everything is made from scratch. They cater weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers and many more. Or you can just treat yourself with the most scrumptious and delicious cupcakes ever made. Like your Grandma's cake with a touch of simple elegance.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up in the kitchen with my Mom and my GrandMa. I've been cooking and baking ever since I was 4 years old. So it's in my nature. The kitchen is my special place where I make fabulous-ness happen. I love watching cooking channels and reading cookbooks. I am very creative and detail oriented. So every cupcake that I make has to be perfect for you.

What is your favorite type of cupcake?

My favorite type of cupcake is my Grandmas Banana Spice cupcake that I top with cream cheese frosting and fill and drizzle with caramel. It's also delicious without the fixings. Either way, I love it.

If you had to describe yourself as a cupcake, how would you?

If I were to describe myself as a cupcake, it would have to be my favorite Banana Spice cupcake. Warm and homey flavors. Caramel like myself and just so darn sweet and yummy! Yep. That's me.

What is your other favorite local cupcakery?

There's only one place where the cupcakes are delicious other than mine, and that's Sprinkles Cupcakery! They're good.

What cupcakes do you plan to bring to CupcakeCampDC?

I am bringing the Best RED VELVET cupcakes you'll ever taste! Topped elegantly with a Chocolate Ferrero Rocher candy. These are like none other. Just wait and see.

"Baker Spotlight" is an online featurette of bakers or bakeries that are participating in CupcakeCampDC.

Baker Spotlight: Crunkcakes

Faith Alice is a bartender and the owner/Master Baker of Crunkcakes, the orignial booze infused cupcakes. Crunkcakes are DC's original booze infused cupcakes. Here to give you cavities and liver damage at the same time, these sweet treats pack a 21+ punch. The cupcakes are infused with alcohol after they are baked, making them far more bad ass than what is available to you in Georgetown. Crunkcakes are available at The Pug, The Star and Shamrock and Black Whiskey, and also through private order.

What is your favorite type of cupcake?

Boozy tres leches

If you had to describe yourself as a cupcake, how would you?

nfused with booze, sweet but can knock you on your ass, just like a Crunkcake.

What is your other favorite local cupcakery?

I don't go to very many cupcake shops but I do recall liking everything I have tried at Hello Cupcake.

What cupcakes do you plan to bring to CupcakeCampDC?

A mix of booze infused flavors including Irish Car Bomb, Birthday Blackout and maybe a few more.

"Baker Spotlight" is an online featurette of bakers or bakeries that are participating in CupcakeCampDC.

Baker Spotlight: The Happy Tart

The Happy Tart believes that gluten free and delicious belong in the same category. They have lovingly transformed Classic French Pastries into gluten free versions. All of their creations are made from scratch, in a gluten free kitchen, using eggs, butter, cream, premium chocolate, fruit, and unique blends of 100% gluten free flours. Imagine, delicate crisp cookies with a creamy filling, luscious layered mousse cakes, lofty meringues, dense fudgey brownies with an irresistible ganache glaze, and smooth custards nestled in a flaky, buttery, tart shell.

Tell us about yourself

We have all heard the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. I took this pithy wisdom to heart when I discovered I was gluten intolerant while attending the Professional Pastry Arts program at L’Academie de Cuisine. Like most people who discover they are gluten intolerant, my first thoughts were for all the pastry treats I would no longer be able to eat. This was doubly difficult while attending culinary school and preparing delectable French Pastries day in and day out. After a day or two of self pity, I became determined to convert the French Pastries I made at school into gluten free versions. I have spent the past year researching and baking and tasting and researching again, to come up with gluten free French pastries. My dream upon entering culinary school was to open a French Bakery. I am delighted therefore, to be the owner of The Happy Tart, a gluten-free Patisserie.

If you had to describe yourself as a cupcake, how would you?

I am more of a tart...

What cupcakes do you plan to bring to CupcakeCampDC?

Spice Cupcake with Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting topped with Candied Ginger

"Baker Spotlight" is an online featurette of bakers or bakeries that are participating in CupcakeCampDC.

Coming to CupcakeCampDC? Get a Free Ride with UBER!

The Government shutdown may be making the Metro run a little slower this weekend, but don't fret! We've teamed up with Uber DC to let you arrive to CupcakeCampDC in style.

Leather seats, air conditioning, and great customer service --- what could be a better start (or end) to this Saturday?

Use promocode CUPCAKECAMPDC this Saturday and ride for free with Uber to or from CupcakeCampDC*.

There will be unlimited mimosas for $15 so we want to make sure you get home safe!
Uber would also be a great choice for bakers that don't want to carry their cupcakes on the metro or deal with parking in U Street.

*Up to $25 value; First time riders only

Baker Spotlight: Sweet n Delicious

Sweet n Delicious offers freshly baked and heavenly handcrafted cake pops and mini cupcakes throughout the DMV. Each and every order is carefully put together because the most important thing to them is satisfaction. It’s not about how many orders they can complete but the quality of taste it consists of which is what keeps our clients happy and wanting more! Presentation is key but knowing that you will possibly be dreaming of their moist cake pops and mini cupcakes is pure satisfaction. After all, they just want to make sure you Live Life One Cake Pop at a Time!

Tell us about yourself

Sweet n Delicious was established in 2012 by Damara aka-Mara who later partnered up with her younger sister Lamara. Not only are our names extremely creative and rhythmic, Thanks Mom and Dad, but so is our work ethic. Although we are separated by a 9 year age gap, our bond is irreplaceable which makes working together a lot easier.

What is your favorite type of cupcake?

Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Fudge Frosting –Mara
Vanilla Cupcake with Chocolate Hazelnut Frosting –Lamara

If you had to describe yourself as a cupcake, how would you?

We see ourselves as the modest cupcake that delicately sits on its own just waiting for somebody to  give them a try and once they do they’re overcome with a burst of flavor and absolute bliss. You walk into a bakery and are just in awe of all of the selections available. You eventually go for the overly frosted and decorated item simply because it looks pretty and if its pretty it’s going to be delicious right? Unfortunately, that isn’t the case well most of the time. It’s always that one simply frosted cupcake that ends up being the most DELICIOUS piece of heaven (literally).

What is your other favorite local cupcakery?

We like Georgetown Cupcakes

What cupcakes do you plan to bring to CupcakeCampDC?

Mini Sweet Potato Cupcakes

"Baker Spotlight" is an online featurette of bakers or bakeries that are participating in CupcakeCampDC.

Baker Spotlight: Joel (CupcakeCampDC's 2012 Winner!)

Joel has been baking cupcakes for 3 years now and has won a few competitions. Known for creating complex flavor profiles, Joel prides himself in turning the weirdest ingredients into a sweet delicacy. Joel loves food, and is a better cook than baker. Through years of practicing, Joel has perfected his baking skills and is a firm believer in "Scratch". The kitchen is his lab, and the consumer are his test subjects. Joel thinks outside of the box and is always thinking of new creations. Joel is known for his Chicken & Waffle Cupcakes. His goal is to take any ingredient and incorporate it in a cupcake.

Tell us about yourself

I am an IT Consultant for a medium sized consulting firm and a part-time graduate student at University of Maryland. I have a serious love for food which dates back to me as a child watching Julia Child on television. I got into baking only because I wanted to surprise his girlfriend with a Valentine's Day cake years ago. The cake was such a hit with her and her family that l looked into perfecting my baking
skills. I am also a cake artist, and design different cakes for various occasions.

When I'm not at work, school, or baking, I like to venture out and eat at restaurants as well as play video games. I enjoy reading Financial newspapers, and loves to talk business. I'm a thinker and I'm always figuring out how to create new flavor combinations. My cupcakes tend to be complex, building different layers of flavor. I'm a fierce competitor, and always looking for a challenge. I consider myself to be a food authority, and love to fatten up my friends with good food and tasty desserts.

Fun Fact: I go by the nickname "Buttercream" which was given to him by my friends Robin and Mimi because I purchased a substantial amount of extracts to flavor my buttercreams for all of my cupcakes.

What is your favorite type of cupcake?

My favorite cupcake has to have different levels of flavor and complexity. I like a flavored cake with a complimentary filling, and a buttercream that brings it all together

If you had to describe yourself as a cupcake, how would you?

I would be a complex cupcake with big and bold flavors that attacks the taste buds at first sight.

What is your other favorite local cupcakery?

My favorite would have to be Baked & Wired. The cupcakes are BIG and BOLD with a ton of flavor.

What cupcakes do you plan to bring to CupcakeCampDC?

I'm planning on bringing a cupcake that will turn heads and defy the odds. This cupcake will be infused with alcohol and it will taste like the drink itself.  This cupcake will be for adults only, but I'll have some non-alcoholic versions of the same cupcake. This cupcake is the Capt & Coke Cupcake made with REAL 100% Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. You will taste the liquor...TRUST ME!

"Baker Spotlight" is an online featurette of bakers or bakeries that are participating in CupcakeCampDC.