This Weeks Theme
The 7th episode of Cupcake Wars Season 5 had the theme of the Country Music Awards. Last years major winners were Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, and Kimberly Perry.
The judges for this episode were Florian Bellanger of MadMac Macarons and Candace Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes. The guest judge for this episode was Deana Carter: country music artist. This week’s prize was a $10,000 cash prize and to present the winning cupcakes at a 45th annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee.
Contestants
All of the competitors on this episode of Cupcake Wars were previously on the show. None of the teams won in their episodes, and have come back to try their hand at finally being the victors.
The four competing bakeries were Bill Jones for Jones Bros. Cupcakes located in Omaha, Nebraska; Catarah Hampshire for Southern Girl Desserts located in Las Angeles, California; Erik Larsen for Heaven Cupcake located in Salt Lake City, Utah; and finally Shannon Clarke for Starry Night Bakery & Coffeehouse located in Westminster, Maryland.
Round 1: Taste Challenge
The taste test challenge was potentially disgusting. The teams had to use a particularly Southern Tennessee food item – barbecue pork. They had the options of: pork chops, ribs, bacon, pancetta, ham, and prosciutto. Bill Jones thought to put the pork oil in the frosting and ended up falling flat with his creation. He had the time to redo the frosting and managed to save himself. In the end, it was Shannon Clarke who was sent home this round for sending out waxy frosting.
Round 2: Visual Challenge
The visual challenge was all about the country music lifestyle. Half the points were awarded for decoration, and half for flavors. Erik Larsen did not manage to put all his decorations on the cupcakes, and he accidentally mixed two of the frostings. It was his lack of decorations that sent him home.
Round 3: Presentation Challenge
The final round had Bill Jones and Catarah Hampshire competing in a 1000 cupcake battle. The contestants had to create a display for their cupcakes that invoked the theme of the Country Music Awards. Bill Jones went for the dichotomy of old and new country style. Catarah Hampshire went for the glam and elegance of the event.
Final Results
The final winner was Bill Jones. He had a rocky start at the beginning, but brought the modern element to the classic country music theme.
