Official Rules & Event Guidelines for 2026 Strawberry Shortcake Bake-off

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1. Competition Overview

The Strawberry Shortcake Bake-Off is a blind-judged tasting competition where guests sample multiple shortcakes and vote for their favorite.
 All entries must be homemade strawberry shortcake (cake, biscuits, strawberries, and cream).

Number of bakers: 6–10
 Goal: Each baker provides 100 identical sample servings

Each sample serving = 4 bites of strawberry shortcake

2. How Much Dessert Each Baker Must Bring

Each baker must provide:

  • 100 sample servings
  • Each sample = 4 bites
  • Total = 400 bites of strawberry shortcake

To stay conservative and ensure no one runs out:

  • Assume 1 tin = 24 four-bite samples

Required tins per baker

100 samples ÷ 24 per tin = 4.17 tins

➡ Each baker must bring 5 full buffet tins (9X13)

This provides:

  • 120 servings (20 extra)
  • Buffer for spills, heavy scoops, or demand spikes

3. What Must Be in Each Buffet Tin

Each tin must contain:

  • Shortcake base
  • Strawberries
  • Whipped cream
  • Fully assembled or easily scoopable

All tins must be:

  • Unlabeled
  • No baker names, logos, or identifying marks

4. Delivery & Setup

Drop-off location: Strawberry Shortcake Bake-Off Tent
 Drop-off deadline: 9:00 AM, Saturday, April 18

Bakers must deliver:

  • 5 buffet tins
  • In coolers or insulated bags
  • Clearly separated

Volunteers will:

  • Randomly assign baker numbers
  • Place 1tin on ice on the table
  • Hold extra tins in coolers and rotate as needed

5. Table Layout

  • One table per two – three bakers
  • Tables divided with painter’s tape
  • Each section represents one baker

Each baker gets:

  • 1 iced buffet tins on display
  • Extra tins stored in coolers behind the table

6. Sampling Process

Guests purchase:

  • $10 tasting plate

Each plate contains:

  • Pre-marked sample spaces
     (numbers matching each baker)

How samples are served

  • A volunteer is stationed at each shortcake
  • Guests walk down the line
  • At each station, the volunteer scoops:
    • One 4-bite serving, using ice-cream scooper
    • Into the matching marked section on the plate

No self-serving is allowed.

7. Blind Judging & Voting

After tasting all samples:

Guests vote by:

  • Placing their spoon into the numbered jar corresponding to their favorite

Voting jars:

  • Are covered
  • Display only the baker number
  • Located at a separate voting table
  • Not visible from the tasting tables

This prevents crowd bias or momentum voting.

8. Food Safety Rules

  • All shortcakes must be kept cold
  • All serving trays must sit in ice
  • Gloves or scoops required for all servers
  • No direct contact between hands and food
  • All food must be prepared in a home kitchen that follows local food safety laws

9. Baker Commitment Policy

    • A $25 refundable deposit is required to secure your spot

    • Deposit is returned upon on-time delivery (by 9:00 AM)

    • No-shows forfeit deposit

Quick Summary for Bakers

Each baker must bring:

Requirement Amount
Sample servings 100
Bites per serving 4
Total bites 400
Buffet tins required 5 full 9×13 tins
Delivery deadline 9:00 AM, April 18
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