CupcakeCamp Charleston 2011 already?!?

Yup!

Save the date!!  CupcakeCamp Charleston is coming to Spirit Moves Studio, 445 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC (www.spiritmoves.com).

CARPOOLING is heavily encouraged!

DIRECTIONS:
Spirit Moves Studio is located at the foot of the overpass where Savannah Highway crosses Folly Rd. Blvd. heading downtown. It can be a little tricky so here's what you do:

From West Ashley or James Island, it's pretty simple - take Savannah Highway (17) like you're going downtown. Once you cross Wesley Dr. (the road that connects 17 and 61, by Ye Olde Fashioned Ice Cream), look for the overpass, and turn Right into the driveway at its base.

From East Cooper, downtown, or I-26 - you will cross the Ashley River Bridge, get off on Highway 61 (St. Andrews Blvd., the first road on the Right off the bridge), and then take the first Left, which is Wesley Blvd. Then take the next Left, which puts you on Savannah Highway, pointed back downtown. From there, look for the overpass, and turn Right into the driveway at its base. You're basically doing a little hook around to get there.

Just be ready for the turn!

There are two parking lots - one before the building, and a bigger one in back.
 
You can exit the parking lot either onto 17 headed downtown (or use the switchback on 17 to go back to West Ashley), or onto Folly Rd. headed to South Windermere.

Thank you to all our 2010 Sponsors/Donors

Thank you again to all of our 2010 Sponsors/Donors!  We truly couldn't have done it without you!
Looking forward to next year!

Aloft Charleston Hotel
Amongst Lovely Things
Buttercup Bake Shop
Caketacular
Charleston Cupcakery
dodeline design
FashionFynlie
Franchesca's Custom Cakes
hazelbasil
Ink Meets Paper
Jeff MacKey Media Services
Lauren Amos Designs
Musicorp
Palmetto Pastries
Pastry Chef Allison Galentine from Caviar & Bananas
Peach Tree Bakery
Southland Soap
Spirit Moves
The Fresh Stitch
Theatre 99

And the Winners are...

Congratulations to all the winners of this year's CupcakeCamp Charleston!  35 cupcakes were entered in one or more categories this year. 

Amateur Division:

Most Unique Ingredients: Bill Stewart from Spirit Moves Studio with "West Popular Pamplona Passion" Cupcakes

Best Decorated (Best in Show): Corinne Citrolo from The Fresh Stitch with "Vegan Raspberry Tiramisu" Cupcakes

Best Charleston Theme: Nikki Riley with "A Charleston Bloom" Cupcakes


Professional Division:

Most Unique Ingredients: Brenda Hill from Peach Tree Bakery with "Chocolate Peanut Butter" Cupcakes

Best Decorated (Best in Show): Allison Galentine from Caviar & Bananas with "Pecan Pie Charleston" Cupcakes

Best Charleston Theme: Cindy F. Baker from Franchesca's Custom Cakes with "Sweet Welcomes" Cupcakes

Winners received donated prizes from Ink Meets Press, Southland Soap, AmongstLovelyThings, Theatre 99, hazelbasil, Buttercup Bake Shop and Aloft Charleston.  Thank you to everyone who competed and got into the spirit of CupcakeCamp Charleston with us!  Looking forward to next year with CupcakeCamp Charleston 2.0!!!

Think of next year's categories and email us, post them on our Facebook wall or tweet us!
xoxox,
Heather "high five" MacKey

2010 Judging Panel at CupcakeCamp Charleston

We are delighted to introduce to you this year's judging panel at CupcakeCamp Charleston!

Kristin Smith, Director of Sales, Aloft Charleston 

Kristin Smith has been a foodie long before we called it foodie.  It started with baking cakes, cupcakes, and cookies and has developed into gourmet savory dishes and wine.   These days, she adores all things food and wine related.

She considered culinary school, specifically in pastry and baking, and was accepted into Johnson and Wales University.  At that time, she wanted to be a wedding cake designer.  Getting engaged to be married made her rethink her career, and Kristin decided to venture into Hospitality Management instead.  She enrolled as a double major for Hospitality and Tourism and Business Management at the College of Charleston. 

Hospitality Sales proved to be the best decision for her.  She still gets to work with people and build relationships while being a foodie on the side.  She is constantly reading, watching and taking classes to further her food knowledge. Kristin can be reached at sales@aloftcharlestonairport.com.

Akai Antia-obong, Art Director, West Of Newspaper 

Akai Antia-obong is a self-trained Chef who grew up interested in cooking ever since he was a small child.   He remembers his father always having an intense look on his face as if he were trying to see into a crystal ball and make sense out of the blurry images.  As his father cooked, he would season a little bit, give things a taste, then steer the flavors where he wanted them to go.  Many times Akai would get in trouble for trying to imitate his father's alchemist intensity with his own culinary creations.

Akai worked for chain restaurants for a couple of years (Applebee's and Ruby's to name a few) but where he really learned to orchestrate a meal was at Six Tables in Mt. Pleasant where he started as part-time help for the chef.  The chef was amazed that Akai could make a Beurre Blanc without supervision.  Soon after he became Sous Chef and then moonlit as a Head Chef at The Fat Hen in Johns Island before the restaurant found a permanent replacement.

Akai has been teaching cooking classes at In Good Taste (Charleston) for the past three years.  He is also available for personal cooking demonstrations and dinners. Contact Akai at theakairepublic@gmail.com.

Chef Bernd Gronert, Instructor Pastry Arts, Trident Technical College

Affectionately known as Chef B. to those who know him from the bakeries and the Charleston area, Chef Bernd Gronert was born in Bad Ems, Germany.  Chef Bernd Gronert studied to be a Chef and Master Pastry Chef in Germany.  He opened a sugar design school in Germany which was in operation until he moved to the United States at 26 years old and joined the  Johnson & Wales University faculty in Providence, Rhode Island to teach chocolate, sugar artistry and advanced decoration.  He also taught for the Charleston and Miami J & W campuses.

After ten years in Rhode Island, he moved to Charleston to teach at Trident Technical College in 1998, and also opened Rococo Bakeries (Charleston, Florence and Summerville locations) together with his twin brother (Chef Armin teaches Pastry Arts for Johnson and Wales at Charlotte, NC and is known as Chef A.).  For two years from 2006-2008, Chef B. showcased his pastries every Friday morning on TV, about 100 live shows!   He also runs his own farm in Ridgeville where he grows a variety of fruits.

Chef B. is the Baking and Pastry Coordinator at Trident Technical College where he oversees nine Pastry instructors and 25 lab classes.  Chef B. can be reached at bernd.gronert@tridenttech.edu.

Feature Sponsor: Charleston Cupcakery

Charleston Cupcakery is an organic and vegan bakery owned by Tara Baker.  She creates little masterpieces of deliciousness and is presenting them at CupcakeCamp Charleston as a Sponsor.

Tara founded Charleston Cupcakery in the Summer of 2008 when her first order was delivered.  Charleston Cupcakery's mission is to sell top grade cupcakes with a friendly smile and by Jove, they've done it!  You will hardly believe they're vegan!  Trust us, we've eaten one or three each!!  Several flavors available are chocolate, vanilla, lemon, carrot, pumpkin, vanilla & chocolate swirl, peanut butter, choco & peanut butter, key lime, banana walnut and much more as their vegan cupcakes are fully customizable.  What also separates Charleston Cupcakery from other bakeries are their free consultations and satisfaction guarantees. 

Charleston Cupcakery delivers to the major suburbs of Charleston, and is also available for pick up!  Visit their website at www.charlestoncupcakery.com.  Call them today at 843.566.2121 or email them at charlestoncupcakery@gmail.com.  When you see Tara, give her props with a fist bump!

XOOX,

crumpets & candy floss

Feature Sponsor: Jeff MacKey Media Services

Put on your best frosting, Cupcakes, you're going to be famous!!  Jeff MacKey Media Services is going to record CupcakeCamp Charleston and is one of our Sponsors this year. 

Jeff MacKey Media Services formed in the Fall of 2009 when Jeff discovered his love of film editing and pursued it full-time.  His services embody film and video editing, videography, post-prodcution and web services.  Jeff's commercial work has included everything from capturing sporting events and wedding ceremonies, to creating music videos, testimonials, instructional videos, and promotional media for a beauty product line.

When Jeff is not doing commercial work, his film projects keep him busy.  New Mythic Take Productions was co-founded by Jeff MacKey and David Whitten for film/video production.  Thus far, two short films have been created, 'Deep and Secret Things' and 'artistic (dis)content.'  A third short film is currently in post-production while a fourth one is in pre-production.  More information on Jeff and his upcoming projects can be found on http://newmythictake.com and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/NewMythicTake.  Jeff can also be reached at jeff@newmythictake.com.  Don't forget to wave Hi to the camera!

Love,
Citizen Kane and Cinema Paradiso

Feature Sponsor: Caketacular

Caketacular has a pretty clever name.  What do you think they specialize in? :)  Their motto is "There's no better way to brighten the day than with a handcrafted treat" and they're not kidding with their beautifully decorated goodies! Caketacular is coming from Durham, NC to become one of this year's Coffee Package Sponsors at CupcakeCamp Charleston and we are wonderfully happy that they are driving that far to be with us!

Caketacular is owned by Clare Studwell.  Her love for baking has bloomed into an obsession and she is our kind of woman, obsessed with the sweets just like we are!  After taking a cake decorating class, Clare was hooked.

Contact Clare to start your caketacular design today!  She can be reached at 919.323.9150 or through her email, clare@caketacular-durham.com.  Visit her website, http://caketacular-durham.com, her blog (where she elaborates her cake journey in words and through her gorgeous and detailed photos), http://caketacular.blogspot.com, Facebook page 
www.facebook.com/pages/Durham-NC/Caketacular/316718436387#!/pages/Durham-NC/Caketacular/316718436387 and Twitter twitter.com/caketacular.  When you meet Caketacular at CupcakeCamp Charleston, tell them they're spectacular!  Yup, you knew that was coming! :)

Love to love and then some,

calm & comfort

Feature Sponsor: Franchesca's Custom Cakes

Think long and hard, Franchesca's Custom Cakes offers every kind of cake you can think of.  They are also one of CupcakeCamp Charleston's Sponsors.  Located in Ladson, SC, Franchesca's Custom Cakes shop is open daily until 9 pm.  From classic, flavored, gluten-free, wedding, custom-designed, 3-D,  special occasion and even up to last minute cakes, Franchesca's Custom Cakes is ready for any and all your events!  Most of her wedding specialty cakes include but are not limited to:  Sour Cream Pound Cake, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Lemon w/ Rhubard & Strawberry Filling Cake, Neopolitan Cake (Chocolate pound cake and strawberry cake w/ home made whipped cream cheese icing) Orange Pound Cake, Not-Too-Sweet Smith Family Chocolate Pound Cake, and Classic yellow w/ Chocolate icing.


We are looking forward to pigging out on her cupcake creations!  Franchesca can be reached at 843.377.3852 and her email is franchesca@franchescascakes.com.  You can also order online at www.franchescascakes.com.

xoxo,
crispy & curly

Feature Sponsor: Musicorp

Musicorp saved our cupcake butts.  We were lacking sound equipment and they have come to our rescue by lending us their high quality products for CupcakeCamp Charleston.   

Musicorp is a leading wholesale distributor of musical instruments, accessories and lighting equipment owned by KMC.  They offer quality, cost-effective, self-manufactured brands such as Barcus-Berry, J.B. Player, J. Reynolds, Percussion Plus, Stageline, MBT Cases, Arbor Guitars, Amigo, Lauren and MBT Lighting & Sound. They also partner with international brands such as Yamaha portable keyboards and guitars, Dean Guitars, Remo Crown Percussion, Samson, Zoom, Hartke and Luna Guitars in exclusive distribution arrangements to better serve the industry.

As Musicorp is equipped to meet the needs of retailers, they also maintain the highest level of service and stand behind their mission to provide excellent customer service, product quality, and competitive pricing, at all times, handling every order with care.  Musicorp partners with music retail customers to help them strategically grow their business, providing the industry’s widest product selection, broadest marketing reach and national distribution network.
 

Several locations allow Musicorp to offer customers the broadest product selection, in-depth inventory, availability and efficient shipping across the country.  Distribution centers are located in California and Kentucky while a second call-center in Illinois but lucky for us, their main headquarters is in Charleston, SC.  For all your music and lighting needs, contact Musicorp.
P.O. Box 63366
North Charleston, SC 29419
Phone: (843) 745-8501
Charleston Toll Free (Sales): 800-845-1922
Effingham Toll Free (Sales): 800-356-4326
Toll Free (Customer Service): 800-641-6931
Fax: 843-745-8502
Email: kmcmcpsales@kmcmusic.com

www.musicorp.com

Feel free to follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Musicorp/200618990183 and Twitter www.twitter.com/Musicorp. 

XOXO,
clef & coda

Feature Sponsor: haZelbasil

It's been brought to our attention a few times that as twins one of us is a movie and the other is a book.  HaZel Lyn D. Rider is the movie and you should watch hers if you know what's good for you.   Even as a kid, she was always artistic.  She colored softly within the lines, drew without having to trace and even buttered her toast smoothly with grace.  This I vividly remember because I couldn't understand the concept of a soft touch as I looked back and forth between hers and my butchered and holey toast.  She's translated her gift well with graphic design and is a Prize Sponsor this year.

It's fitting that she's the movie for Hazel has worked in the movie industry in L.A. and has created DVD covers and various promotional materials.  She also creates movie posters, postcards, flyers, ads, logos, websites, business cards, special event invitations, handmade stationary, t-shirts, and even cuts her own envelopes made from vintage thrift store books. And you guessed it, she is the edgy creator of CupcakeCamp Charleston's flyer and postcard that you've seen around town!

You should hire her.  She can be reached at http://www.hazelbasil.com or call her at 843.670.3819.  Her products are available at http://hazelbasil.etsy.com.  When you hire her, tell her the book sent you!

XO,

crime from comedy

Baker's Registration Form (cut and pasted)

We've received a few emails about some of you not being able to see the form.  Sorry about that!  Here is the form that you can complete and email your response to cupcakecampcharleston@gmail.com.
Cheers and see you next weekend!
XO,
chalk & chair

>>
Baker Registration Form
Please complete baker registration form (the sooner the better). You may register your cupcakes on November 6, 2010 at the event.  As soon as we receive your form, you will receive an email with baker's regulatiions. 
* Required

Name (First, Last) *


Company Name (if applicable)


Email *


Phone Number *


Address *
Include street or mailing address, city, state and zip code.


How did you hear about CupcakeCamp Charleston? *
Please check all that applies.
  Facebook
 Twitter
 EventBrite
 CupcakeCamp
 Friend/Family
 Other

Are you an amateur or professional baker? *
If you own a company (online included) or work in the industry, you would be considered a professional.
  Amateur
 Professional

Name of Cupcake(s) *


Allergen Notes *
  Peanuts
 Nuts other than seeds
 Sesame seeds
 Milk
 Soy
 Eggs
 Wheat or grain containing gluten (barley, oat, rye and triticale)
 Other

Flavor/Theme of Cupcake(s) *
Please describe flavors/themes of the cupcake/flavor you will be baking for Cupcake Camp.


Are you entering the baker's contest? *
Please read Contest section on website.
  Yes
 No

How many cupcakes are you bringing? *
Fill in a number.
>>

Feature Sponsor: Peach Tree Bakery

Peach Tree Bakery is a family owned and operated business by husband and wife team Brenda and Larry Hill. Originally from West Virginia, they opened their first bakery, Aunt B's in 1996. Wanting to move to a warmer climate, they visited Goose Creek in January of this year and noticed there wasn't a local bakery so they moved shortly after, opening in July. This makes their bakery one of the newest additions to the ever expanding Goose Creek and one of CupcakeCamp Charleston's Sponsors.

Peach Tree Bakery specializes in made-from-scratch baked goods. A delicious variety is baked each day using fresh, quality ingredients and no preservatives. What separates them from other bakeries is their collected recipes from family and fiends. All types of cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, wedding cakes, snack cakes, etc. are custom-made on the premises.

Stop by today and come back often!  Enjoy their homemade and nostalgic goodies the way your granny made them!  Visit their website, www.peachtreebakery.com and become a fan on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Goose-Creek-SC/Peach-Tree-Bakery/151723744852325.  Brenda and Larry can be reached at the bakery, 843.797.5234.  When you see them at CupcakeCamp Charleston, high five them with a smile!

Love, 

Creek & Crick

Featured Vendor: FashionFynlie

FashionFynlie is the brain child of Amy Hutchins.  Her daughter, Fynlie is the model for FashionFynlie's hair accessories. It started when her husband noticed that commercial infant bows didn't fit their daughter properly and left marks on her head.  Fueled by creativity and inspiration, Amy decided to create her own versions. Out and about, people started noticing Amy's hair creations; thus, FashionFynlie started flying off the shelves!  FashionFynlie uses colorful ribbons and lace with theme buttons as part of her design. Custom orders are available such as team sports, animals, fruits, flowers, etc. at her Etsy store.

Amy wears many creative hats.  Not only is she a wife and mommy, she is a Real Estate Broker Associate and Interior Designer/Stager.  When Amy is not spending time with her adorable family, her keen eye is looking out for cool finds in antique and secondhand shops.  For more information, visit her Etsy store www.etsy.com/people/FashionFynlie.  She can be reached at fashionfynlie@gmail.com.  Buy her bows for your precious babies' heads! She will be at the Vendors area at this year's CupcakeCamp Charleston.

Love,
crochet & croquet

Feature Sponsor: Buttercup Bake Shop

We jumped up and clicked our heels (or tried to) when we received a Prize donation from Buttercup Bake Shop in New York City.  That's right, metro en masse, all the way from New York City!

Buttercup Bake Shop is owned by Jennifer Appel.  We think it's pretty cool that she turned her hobby into a career for the sweets! Jennifer owns two locations of Buttercup Bake Shop.  Unfortunately for us, they're both in New York City (midtown Manhattan and Upper West Side).  Buttercup Bake Shop has been featured on MTV, Fox, CNN and in tons of magazines like The New York Times, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, The Wall Street Journal and Zagat Guide.  She is also the author of several bakery cookbooks so it's safe to say she's a champion of cupcakes!

At Buttercup Bake Shop, you can enjoy several types of cupcakes, all kinds of cakes, pies, cheesecakes, assorted bars and squares, and trifles!  When you're not in the city, you can order online at http://buttercupbakeshop.com or call them at 212.350.4144/212-787-3800.  Sad to say again, but they only deliver to corporate and residential addresses in Manhattan and Long Island City (insert ARRRGGHHH).  For more information, visit http://buttercupbakeshop.com.  Become a Facebook fan www.facebook.com/ButtercupBakeShop and follow them on Twitter http://twitter.com/buttercupNY.  For more pretty pictures, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/buttercupny.

with hearts galore, 

chinatown & chelsea

Feature Sponsor: Ink Meets Paper Press

Ink Meets Paper Press is a small letterpress studio in Charleston run by cute and cheeky husband and wife team Daniel and Allison Nadeau and one of this year's Prize Sponsors at CupcakeCamp Charleston.  We're quite excited to see what creative prize they're donating!

Ink Meets Paper Press is a young company born in 2008.  Using a 1920s new-style Chandler & Price platen press for their products, it's refreshing to see the vintage world meet the modern age.  They offer an array of letterpress stationery and art prints, as well as other one-of-a-kind handprinted goods (including business cards, notecards and special event invitations to name a few).

If you're looking for original and custom-made high quality paper products, contact Ink Meets Paper etsy@inkmeetspaperpress.com or call their studio: 843.608.8465.  For more information, visit www.inkmeetspaperpress.com.  Products can also be ordered at their Etsy store inkmeetspaper.etsy.com.  Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/inkmeetspaper and become a fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Charleston-SC/Ink-Meets-Paper/141250724568.


Love to love,
Corduroy & Chenille

      

          

Feature Sponsor: AmongstLovelyThings

In the years that I've known J. Nisbet-Hoyle, I've known she was an Art Major, a makeup and beauty expert, (licensed cosmetologist) and a fashion maven (she always dressed like she came from the catwalk).   I've never seen her artwork but would constantly hear about it from her husband.  I thought, sure, he has to say that, they're married.  I found out too late how beautifully stunning her artwork truly is when she moved nearly 2000 miles away.   We feel cute with couture that AmongstLovelyThings is a Prize Sponsor at CupcakeCamp Charleston this year.


AmongstLovelyThings store proves how lovely and wonderfully detailed her work is.  Hand painted tableware, bowls plates mugs, vintage napkings and tablecloths, place cards, menus for weddings to birthday parties and dinners, heirloom quality pieces, plates on chargers, interesting centerpieces, funky placemats, charming napkin holders, antique silverware, tea services, petite dessert plates, vintage colored glass, bird's nests and butterflies are dozens of items she's sold in her Etsy store.  J. is most inspired by the art of the early 20th century into the 1930's as well as Art Nouveau and the Pre-Raphaelite movements. Although fashion has never left her, it inspires nearly everything she does.  She became interested in home decor after becoming a wife and mother and a self-professed decorating addict.  Her goal is to provide useful and beautiful items for the home, so that one may express one's artistic sensibilities to friends and family.


All of Amongst LovelyThings quality pieces are lead-free, microwave and dishwasher safe.  They are available at Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/AmongstLovelyThings).  Her blog is just as divine, too www.setalovelytable.blogspot.com.  Follow her on Twitter @amongstlovely for whimsical inspirations!  J. can be reached at amongstlovelythings@rocketmail.com.

Je t'aime,

Crepes with Crème brûlée

Feature Sponsor: Theatre 99

After you stuff your lovely faces with cupcakes, you will lose weight laughing so hard at Theatre 99, Charleston's Home for Improv Comedy and one of CupcakeCamp Charleston's Prize Sponsors.  Located in downtown Charleston (280 Meeting Street), Theatre 99 has shows every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights and are economical for your wallet.  Tickets are just $5 on Wednesdays, $10 on Fridays and $10-$12.50 on Saturdays.  Think about it, it costs more to go to weekly weight loss programs so why not just laugh the cupcake calories off at Theatre 99?!

Theatre 99 creates one-of-a-kind improv humor for you every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night.  Their improv shows (ranging from sketch and stand up, cabaret, music, and other raucous entertainment) depend on the audience suggestions so you never know what will happen!  When you're not ROTFL or randomly clapping your hands and miming laughter (as we embarrassingly do), you can also enjoy their annual festivals that showcase top comics from around the country and other special events (such as Piccolo Fringe and The Charleston Comedy Festival) throughout the year.

When Theatre 99 is not aiding your efforts to lose weight, they offer a training program that has 4 levels of improv classes where you can learn how to make other people laugh off their calories off!  Check out their shows and classes at www.theatre99.com and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Charleston-SC/Theatre-99/226205816396 where they often give away free tickets!

Love,
Cackle and Cacophony