Hi, everyone! I'm back with a brief update on our new challenges. As you may have read in last month's announcement, the challenges will be taking on a new form under the leadership of @Manu. (Congrats again, Manu!) The changes to the challenges were...
Woo hoo! It's the official start of the sponsorship drive for my second virtual edition of Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™! The competition is one of the industry’s most recognized ways of highlighting and honoring cookie talent. It’s also a great opportunity for cookie businesses to...
Hello and welcome to the recap of Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #50! I must admit that this challenge was by far one of my favorites, as it gave everyone a chance to...
Hi, cookie competitors and sponsors! As you may have already heard, the That Takes the Cake (TTTC) Show in Austin, where my competition was slated to be hosted on February 26-27, canceled yesterday amidst growing concerns about the Omicron variant, people's safety, and diminished attendance at the physical show. While this announcement is extremely disappointing to me, you, and so many others...
Hello and welcome to a very special Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #50! In recognition of this extraordinary milestone, I thought it only fitting that we mark the occasion by giving you an opportunity to participate in not one – but 50 different challenges! This means you have...
Hi, everyone! I posted the following comments as a footnote to the recently released Practice Bakes Perfect Challenge #49 recap. They're pretty important, so I wanted to be sure everyone sees them and takes a moment to respond. The future of Cookie Connection and our challenges depends on your input...
One of the things I love most about these challenges is seeing such diversity in our entrants' styles and the techniques that they use. And this challenge was certainly no exception! Your theme choices showed...
I'm not wasting any time! LOL! Yes, it's hard to believe, as we just wrapped up the 2021 virtual edition, but it’s true! Reg is now open for next year's competition...
So, at long last, no more waiting on pins and needles! Today I reveal the winners in the 2-D and 3-D categories of the 2021 virtual edition of Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™. In addition, I'll be unveiling the one entry that...
One of the amazing things about Cookie Connection is that you can find quite literally tens of thousands of cookie clips from which to draw inspiration or learn new techniques. Clips are...
With many cookiers owning dozens – even hundreds – of cookie cutters, losing track of the identity of one or two is bound to happen. And, trying to decipher those "mystery" cutters can be a challenge all on its own. Fortunately, our Practice Bakes Perfect challenge entrants have shown...
The judges and I are getting SO excited to see all of your cookie creations! But don’t forget: both 2-D and 3-D entries to Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ are due in about one week, on October 15 at 5 pm CDT, to be exact...
Hello, competitors and soon-to-be competitors! In case you missed last week's announcement on my Facebook page, here’s the recording of my final competition live Q&A on Saturday, September 25 with the wonderful Ginny Levack...
Hi, competitors! This week, I introduce you to the illustrious judges of Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ - three out of four of them at least! In the following video, judges Sandie Beltran, Stephanie Kappel, and Laura Saporiti tell you a bit about their competition and judging experience, as well as...
This week, we hear from last year’s first-place winner in the 3-D cookie category and one of this year’s judges, Laura Saporiti! Here, Laura shares with you lessons learned from her many years of competing - specifically what she most values...
