The sweet showdown

JSU advisor Allison Tuckman and National JSU advisor Shaina Berke judge the final cake designs.

BY MICHELLE LAM

On April 29, the Jewish Student Union hosted the first Cake Wars, a competition where teams decorated cakes and competed for the best design. Students showed creativity and teamwork through their cake designs and decorating skills.

JSU aimed to grow the club and help students form new connections. “Our main goal for hosting the event was to continue expanding our club and give participants a way to meet new people,” said Jessica Orloff, JSU Vice President.

Participants worked in teams and competed to create the best design during the event. “It was super fun. We worked as a team, and they fed us yummy bagels and lox,” said Ilana Akselrud. “The event displayed how competitive we could get!”

Jessica Orloff and Lila Feldman use frosting to decorate their cake.

Students decorated their cakes with different designs and ideas during the competition. “We used icing to create flowers and bumblebees and used sprinkles to decorate the outside of the cake. We also wrote ‘Shalom Spring’ in icing,” said Jessica Orloff. ‘Shalom’ means ‘Hello, Goodbye, and Peace’ in Hebrew so we wrote ‘Hello Spring.’”

Each team received a selection of decorating materials for the competition. “Each team was given a Duncan Hines cake, pink and yellow icing, and an assortment of sprinkles,” said Lila Feldman, President of the Jewish Student Union.

Onyedikachi Anuolu Uzodimma, Ryan Orloff, and Sierra Yong Yow work as a team to decorate their cake.

Participants faced limited materials and a short decorating time, requiring careful planning while decorating. “Challenges we faced included limited supplies and a short amount of time to decorate the cakes,” said Ryan Orloff. “We overcame these challenges by rationing the supplies to different sections of the cake and using the remaining supplies to add extra details in the end.”

Students enjoyed decorating the cakes, getting creative with their designs, and competing with others. “[The most exciting part was] decorating the cake,” said Angelina Molina.

Participants enjoyed the opportunity to compete and decorate cakes. “[I] 100% [would compete in Cake Wars again,] it was so fun,” said Sierra Yong Yow.

Lila Feldman and Jessica Orloff present their final design to the participants and judges.
Ilana Akselrud, Ryan Orloff, Onyedikachi Anuolu Uzodimma, Osinachi Anuolu Uzodimma, and Sierra Yong yow shows off their cake design to the other participants and the judges.
Lila Feldman explains the rules of the cake decorating competition.