Coachella Valley goes cuckoo for cupcakes
23 October 2012INDIO, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Amateur bakers by the dozens have come out of the woodwork to sign up for the first-ever Fantasy Cupcake Challenge, benefiting Well in the Desert. So many so, that the culinary team at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has decided to grow the sweet competition and make space for even more bakers.
“People are obviously wild about cupcakes,” says Fantasy Springs Executive Chef, Freddy Rieger. “Originally we were just going to have 12 amateur and 12 professional bakers but we had so many amateur entries that now we have to taste each one to make absolutely sure that we select the best of the best for the public tasting.”
On Tuesday, October 30th amateur bakers will pack the house and bring their best baked cake in a cup to Fantasy Springs where a panel of professional palates will choose the top ones. Those amateur bakers will then go on to the main tasting event, which is open to the public from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, November 18th.
On the professional side of the Fantasy Cupcake Challenge, there will be 20 professional bakers participating from some of the top local restaurants and bakeries, including Pastry Swan, Jensen’s Finest Foods, Over the Rainbow Cupcakes, Aspen Mills, Sherman’s Deli, Tinto, 3rd Corner Bistro, Nana D’s, Spa Hotel, Agua Caliente, Bellatrix, and several more.
The November 18th event also includes boutique vendors, baking demonstrations, a silent auction, live music and complementary tastings of wine, champagne and international coffee. Admission to the Fantasy Cupcake Challenge is $30 for adults, $10 for children. If you bring three canned/non-perishable goods to the box office the day of the event, you will receive $5 off admission.