The smells of sweetness filled the halls of T.C. Roberson High School as a baking competition took off for the second year in a row.
Buncombe County Schools (BCS) recreates a popular baking show known as the “Cupcake Wars,” for several middle school students. Teams hail from Valley Springs Middle School (VSMS), Cane Creek Middle School (CCMS), Enka Middle School (EMS), and Owen Middle School. The idea to have middle schoolers involved in a high caliber county wide competition requires a lot of brainstorming and help.
“Many of us wanted to have an activity that incorporated the skillsets students learned from the Exploring Nutrition & Wellness classes offered at the middle school level,” explained Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Development Coordinator for Middle Schools Michele Smith. “This event helps expose students to the careers and equipment used in the high school food labs across BCS.”
One of the main components of the competition is not only a delicious dessert, but the ability for each group to work efficiently as a team. The groups of three to five students have to find a way to execute their ideas in a certain amount of time.
“Students are able to implement the culinary skills, techniques and knowledge they have learned throughout the year in this event,” said Mrs. Smith. “It is also a great experience for students to have feedback from experienced judges.”
This year’s competition was a little sweeter with the addition of a brand new teacher.
“Brittin Cox from VSMS formerly taught Health & PE and this year is teaching Family Consumer (Exploring Nutrition & Wellness) classes,” Mrs. Smith said. “The icing on top of this experience was when the middle schoolers toured the other CTE courses offered at T.C. Roberson High School.”
Judges for this year's competition included Kaitlin Austin, a Family Consumer Science Teacher; Stefanie Buckner Hill, a BCS K-12 Math Specialist; and Hobby Cupcake Creator Tara Robinson from Baked Pie Company.
“It’s a great experience for students to have feedback from experienced judges,” Mrs. Smith said. “This has become something I look forward to each spring.”
The 2023 BCS Cupcake Wars winner is Valley Springs Middle School with their theme “Camp Out.” Congratulations to all the students and staff for the hard work poured into this special event.
