A smile lights up the young baker’s face as she views the cupcake displays surrounding her, some average, some good, and some downright beautiful. However, her grin grows wider as her own display catches her eye, a cut above the rest. She was confident. She had no doubt in her mind that hers was the best among them all.

Senior Kassi Price competed in a cupcake challenge in Hereford hosted by the Hospitality Educators Association of Texas March 7. Her 1950s root beer float display won the best presentation award. Price also placed third in the overall competition and qualified for the state competition. However, Price does not plan on attending because of a band conflict.

“The process started on Saturday,” Price said, “We met at 6:30 at the junior high to bake and ice our cupcakes before the competition.”

Confusion in contest organization started Price off with a slight mishap.

“When we first got there, they gave us all a number that told us what table we were at, and at first, I got the number 37,” Price said. “When I went into the room, there were only 35 tables. After that, I had to go back and get a new table, and then I finally could start the competition.”

The competitors had 45 minutes to set up their displays before waiting an hour and a half to allow the judges to view the displays and taste the cupcakes. Then, they were brought into a room where both the individual awards and the overall places were announced.

“I don’t want to sound conceited, but I knew that I would get the best presentation award,” Price said. “I walked around and looked at everyone’s displays, and a lot of them were really pretty and really beautiful, but I knew I had this one in the bag.”

The theme of the 1950s presentation stemmed from a record player Price found at a local thrift shop.

“I really didn’t have anything in mind specifically,” Price said. “I just picked up what I could find at a bunch of different stores. It was really just a combination of lot of ideas.”

Price said although some of her fellow competitors disliked competing because of the level of difficulty, she enjoyed the chaos and the challenge associated with the contest.

“I absolutely loved every minute of it,” Price said. “I love baking, I love cooking and it really makes me excited to continue on with culinary arts in my future.”

As for advice for future chefs, Price said it is best to stick with it, despite the words of discouragement that may be received from others.

“There’s going to be people that tell you that this isn’t for you, and that there isn’t a future in culinary arts,” Price said. “But if this is really your passion, you need to stick with it and do what makes you happy.”