Sugar Artists of all ages and backgrounds are invited to compete in a selection of five different categories ranging from wedding designs, sculpted cakes, and decorated cookies. (Continued Below)
Three Ways to Compete & Win!
Sugar Art & Cake Competition
Edible Hat Fashion Show
We're taking a true Southern tradition to another level! The Southern Lady Hat Fashion Show is an innovative fundraiser which benefits the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. LEARN MORE
Great Southern Bake-Off
No sugar show would be complete without a tasting competition to bring it all home! Local bakeries, restaurants, and home-based licensed cottage businesses are invited to compete for the title of Best Dessert in the South! LEARN MORE
Meet Your 2021 Head Judges
Chef Nicholas Lodge
Sugar Art Competition,
Co-Head Judge
Sugar Art Competition,Learn more about Chef Lodge. Review his accolades and resume here.
Chef Blāque Shelton
Sugar Art Competition,
Co-Head Judge
Sugar Art Competition,Learn more about Chef Blāque. Review his accolades and resume here.
Christina Bjorn
Great Southern Bake-Off,
Head Judge
Great Southern Bake-Off,Learn more about Christina. Review her accolades and resume here.
All skill levels are welcome to compete!
We invite bakers, cakers and sugar artists of all levels to compete in The Ultimate Sugar Show’s 2021 Regional Sugar Art Competition. Each competitor is allowed one entry per category, but they are allowed to enter multiple categories. The appropriate registration fee must be submitted online no later than 11:59 PM EST on Thursday September 15, 2021. NO late entries will be accepted once registration has closed. All competitors are considered an integral part of The Ultimate Sugar Show. Therefore, all competitors will be given a Special Competitor's Weekend Pass which will grant them access to the Vendor Hall on September 25 & 26, 2021. Your Weekend Pass MUST be picked up during the competition check-in process, no exceptions. Please read the Set-Up Information section to learn more about our No-Show Policy.
Sugar Art Competition Categories
Competition Divisions & Fees
Youth & Teen
Skill Level | Age 5 - 17 Years
Registration Fee | $15
Each competitor in this category must bake, ice and decorate at least 85% of their own entry. One parent/guardian may minimally assist with techniques which may be considered a safety risk to a young competitor.
Competitors in this division are allowed one parent/guardian and one additional assistant to help with set up on Friday, Sept 24.
Beginner
Skill Level | Basic/Beginner
Registration Fee | $25
Competitors in this division will be considered a beginner if they have 2 years or less decorating experience, are self-taught, or have less than 30 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction (including online courses). Must be over 17 years of age.
Competitors in this division are allowed one assistant to help with set-up on Friday, Sept 24.
Intermediate
Skill Level | Developing
Registration Fee | $25
Competitors in this division will be considered intermediate if they have 2 to 4 years cake decorating experience or 30 to 60 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction ( including online courses). Must be over 17 years of age.
Competitors in this division are allowed one assistant to help with set-up on Friday, Sept 24.
Advanced
Skill Level | Refined
Registration Fee | $25
Competitors in this division will be considered advanced if they have 4 to 6 years cake decorating experience or 60 to 90 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction (including online courses). Must be over 17 years of age.
Competitors in this division are allowed one assistant to help with set-up on Friday, Sept 24.
~ Additional Competition Details ~
Important Deadlines & Times
The Ultimate Sugar Show’s Regional Competition will take place in the Vendor Hall of the Cobb Galleria Centre on September 25 & 26, 2021. All entries MUST be checked-in and set up in the Vendor Hall by between 2 PM and 8 PM on Friday, September 24.
Set up will end promptly at 8 PM on Friday, September 24 and competitors will be dismissed from the designated competition area. No late set-ups will be allowed!
Competitors are allowed to make changes to their submissions until set-up deadline at 8PM on Friday, September 24.
Any entries that do not adhere to the competition rules, deemed inappropriate, or in poor taste in the opinion of the judges will be eliminated from judging and potentially removed from the competition.
Photos of the entry may not have been previously posted online, including social media sites.
All entries must remain on display until 4 PM on Sunday, September 26. No one will be allowed to remove entries before 4 PM.
Any attempts to remove an entry before 4 PM on Sunday, September 26 may result in individual’s removal from the Vendor Hall.
Entries may be removed from the competition area on Sunday, September 26 between the hours of 4 PM and 8 PM. Any entries remaining in the competition area after 8 PM on Sunday September 26, 2021 will be disposed of by the event staff.
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which starts at 4 PM on Sunday, September 26, 2021. It is not necessary for participants to be present to receive awards, although it is strongly encouraged.
Set-up Information
During check-in, all competitors will receive a Special Competitor's Weekend Pass which will grant them access to the Vendor Hall on September 25 & 26, 2021. Competitors will also receive a number to be used to identify their entry during the competition judging.
The entry creator MUST be present and participating during the entry set up process. Each competitor’s entry’s position will be assigned/positioned in order of arrival at the Vendor Hall. Requests for specific entry positions will be denied, as entries will be positioned in the order of arrival.
A display space on top of a skirted table will be provided to display the entry. (See specific category instructions for the size details of the display space.). The entry may not extend outside of the specific display’s dimensions, including the cake board.
No additional table décor is allowed unless otherwise noted in the category description, and no electricity will be provided to competitors. Competitors are allowed to use battery powered LED lights which they have provided to compliment their entry.
Entries are required to include a contact card underneath the entry’s cake board or base. The contact card must include the competitor’s name, contact phone number, division, and entry category.
Please note it is extremely important that absolutely no other identifying markings may be on, near, attached to, incorporated in, or accompanying entries including business cards and/or logos. Also, no personal or business identification, advertisements, backdrops, or photos, etc., will be allowed to be displayed with the entry.
All competitors are allowed at least one assistant to help with setting up their entry, exceptions will be made for minors (17 & under). Please see division descriptions for more information.
Judging Process & Details
On Saturday, September 25, 2021, judging will begin promptly at 9 AM and will continue until all categories & divisions have been judged. All entries will be judged by a panel of distinguished and qualified culinary professionals.
Competitors can pick up a copy of the judges’ point evaluation and comments for each entry at the Registration Desk on Sunday, September 26 by no earlier than 2:00 PM. Competitors must present their identification in order to receive their score card.
If available, the judges who scored your entry will be in and around the competition area to answer any questions about scoring or written comments. The names of your entry's judges will be provided on the bottom of your judging sheet. Please only approach the judges noted on your judging sheet with questions about your entry.
Competition scoring & decisions are FINAL. For issues or concerns, please contact Head Judge, Chef Nicholas Lodge at chef@nicholaslodge.com.
Access to the Vendor Hall
All competitors are considered a very important part of The Ultimate Sugar Show. Therefore, all competitors will be provided a Special Competitor's Weekend Pass which will grant them access to the Vendor Hall on September 25& 26, 2021. Your Weekend Pass MUST be picked up during the competition check-in process, no exceptions.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a No-Show for the competition (i.e. you fail to check-in your entry prior to 8 PM on September 24, 2021), you will no longer be considered an Ultimate Sugar Show Competitor. Therefore, you will forfeit your Special Competitor's Weekend Pass and will be required to purchase a 1-Day General Admin pass at the door to gain access to the Vendor Hall.
Competition Prizes & Awards
All prizes must be claimed at The Ultimate Sugar Show.
However, if you are unable to pick-up your prize during the USS weekend, shipping of prizes may be available at an additional cost to the competitor.
Photography & Videography
Professional videos & photographs will be taken of most or all competition entries during The Ultimate Sugar Show. This footage may be used for future marketing or promotional purposes.
During the competition check-in process, all competitors are required to sign a Film & Photography release form in order to compete.
Southern Lady, Edible Hat Fashion Show
Join the fun and compete in the Edible Hat Fashion Show. Our annual competition to showcase the rich tradition of style of ladies in the South.
Compete in the Great Southern Bake-Off
You know your desserts are awesome! Here is your chance to prove it to your friends, neighbors and the state of Georgia. Pre-heat your ovens and try your hand a the Great Southern Bake-Off. Win cash and bragging rights!