4th Annual LA Cupcake Challenge

The baking gloves came off last weekend as the best bakeries from around LA and Orange County competed for the best cupcake at the annual Drink Eat Play's Cupcake Challenge. For the 4th year now, I was delighted to be a "celebrity judge" in the annual contest at The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Although I visit and eat at cupcakeries regularly for my LA Cupcakes MeetUp Group , this baking challenge features a lot of the lesser known cupcake delivery stores and some shops from further away that I don't get to try.

And the winners were:

Best Traditional:

1st: My Delight: Red Velvet

2nd: Hansen’s Cakes: Bridal Cake

3rd: Double D Cupcakes: Chocolate Zin

Best Original:
1st: My Delight: Late Night Breakfast

2nd: Jus Minis: Josephine

3rd: Friandise Pastries: Candied Sweet Potato

Best Overall:

1st: My Delight: Late Night Breakfast

2nd: Friandise Pastries: Candied Sweet Potato

3rd: Jus Minis: Josephine

One of my favorites that I tried though didn't place. It was the Pineapple Right Side Up Cupcakes from Fairy Cakes Bakery in OC. Last year, this bakery was among my favs too.