You don’t have to tune in to TLC’s “Next Great Baker” to see inspiring pastry creations.
From “Despicable Me” characters to fondant Crown Jewels, edible masterpieces will be on display–and ready to taste–at the annual Cake-Off4Kids baking contest and fundraiser, where a variety of Silicon Valley bakers showcase their talents.
The fourth annual event will be held on Sept. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Domain Hotel in Sunnyvale for one evening of sweet fun.
The event benefits local nonprofit Cake4Kids. Since 2010, the volunteer-run, Sunnyvale-based nonprofit has been making foster kids and at-risk youth free personalized birthday cakes on a day that might otherwise go unnoticed.
There will be 50 cake entries in five different baking categories, and the grand prize winners will receive a $100 cash prize. The categories are best decorated, made by kids, best tasting, ultimate chocolate and creative cupcakes.
This is the first year that the event will be put on without its founder, the late Libby Gruender.
Gruender started Cake4Kids in 2010 as a grassroots effort to help children in her community, after reading an article about a foster child who had never had a birthday cake. She died of cancer while under hospice care in her Sunnyvale home on Jan. 3, 2013. She was 52.
Last year Cake4Kids’ volunteers delivered 1,000 birthday cakes, spanning the San Francisco Bay Area. This time last year, the nonprofit was serving 20 agencies, but has increased the number to 29 in the past 12 months.
Volunteers will be continuing Gruender’s tradition of naming a volunteer of the year, only this year a plaque has been created for the winners.
“We are excited to have her husband, John Groat, and their sons, who will be present to help bestow the grand prize awards to our winners,” said Trish O’Dwyer, Cake4Kids program director of operations. “It’s been a way to involve him and the children, and it also remembers Libby. Lots of volunteers don’t even know Libby; they never met her. But, if anything, this will cause them to ask about her and that’s enough.”
Those not participating in the contest can purchase tickets to sample the cakes on display, enjoy a buffet dinner provided by Mio Vicino and participate in a silent auction.
This year’s auction items include memorabilia from the Golden State Warriors, a weekend at a private retreat in Tahoe, tickets to Six Flags theme park, numerous restaurant gift certificates and museum tickets.
Only 250 tickets will be sold to the public. Ticket prices are $25 if purchased before Aug. 31, and $30 after. Tickets are $15 for children ages 7-14. Children under 7 are free.
The fee to enter the contest as a baker is $15.
There will also be a cash bar with wine and cocktails.
The Domain Hotel is located at 1085 E. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale.
For more information visit cake4kids.org.
