A Princeton bakery is hoping to hold onto cupcake domination this week as they get set to compete on a brand new Food Network show called “Cupcake Champions.” Cupcake Wars champions Ron and Ruth Bzdewka from Princeton-based House of Cupcakes were invited back to compete in the five-episode arc that begins at 8 p.m. on May 13.
The show brings back 16 “Cupcake Wars” winners to compete for a $50,000 prize in a grand finale, very similar to how the recently-ended “Chopped Champions” was set up. The first four episodes will each have four bakeries competing, those episode winners will then compete in the fifth episode for the prize.
The Bzdewkas did not return calls for comment by press time and when reached earlier in the week, Ms. Bzdewka did not want to comment about the show because of contractual obligations.
The couple’s first win was in February 2011 when their Cirque du Soleil theme cupcakes took the top prize. They got to go to the album release party in Las Vegas for the Cirque du Soleil show, “Viva Elvis,” and serve their cupcakes. This time, they will be baking cupcakes to go with the theme of the smash Broadway musical “SPIDERMAN Turn Off the Dark.” Each episode of the show is divided into three rounds.
The first round is to bake three cupcakes using ingredients inspired by the show; one of the four bakeries will be eliminated. The second round focuses on cupcake decoration and at the end of the round another bakery will be eliminated leaving two to create a 1,000 cupcake display for the judges who will then decide who gets to continue into the grand finale to compete for the $50,000 prize.
In the series premiere, bakers use their “Spidey” senses to channel the famous superhero and be the star attraction at a VIP party for the hit Broadway show, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark. The Bzdewka’s episode was filmed about three months ago in Los Angeles.
Episode two brings the lovable characters of DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted to life, with a special twist for the final two teams having their own Hollywood special effects designer to give their display some movie magic. In episode three, bakers aim to hit a high note with their school lunch-inspired cupcakes to serve at a wrap party for the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning show, Glee!
Episode four showcases the all-stars’ cupcakes for a party at Pixar Animation Studios, where bakers use Scottish-based ingredients inspired by the new Disney-Pixar movie BRAVE and create a royal castle filled with cupcakes.
In the star-studded finale, the champion bakers create a cupcake work of art inspired by the brightest Food Network stars. Guest judges (and Food Network Star regulars) Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson, who look for the “it” factor and the winner’s cupcake concoction is presented to Food Network Star mentors, Alton Brown, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay at the Food Network Cupakes! app for iPad launch party.
The show premieres with the Princeton bakers at 8 p.m. on May 13.
Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Regional Editor Ocean County, is a true Jersey girl. Raised in Marlboro, Vikki has lived in the area her whole life. She loves to experiment in the kitchen and is happiest when feeding a houseful of friends and family. A journalist for 10 years, she now serves on the staff of the Princeton Packet. Vikki is happiest on the road, so it should be no Surprise she is a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations. Follow her on Twitter @vikkihs.
