LEESBURG, Fla. – Local cake maker and small business owner Teresa Toomer of Leesburg has placed second in the Orlando Convention Center’s America’s Cake Fair.
Teresa runs a cottage cake business, Jolly Good Cakes, from her home. A single mom of two, Ms. Toomer says she’s never done a competition before, but was encouraged by friends, local businesses, and the general public to enter the American Cake Fair. Although she was unsure of whether or not she was truly ready for such an undertaking, Ms. Toomer chose to enter and looked forward “to the fun experience and to get my name out there.”
The competition, which was hosted by Satin Ice, featured industry celebrity headliners, more than 100 hands-on classes and demonstrations, cake competitions, challenges, and a sugar arts fashion show. Ms. Toomer saved up to enter the competition and set to work on a design she hoped would showcase her skills pitted against thousands of other industry professionals.
Thousands of spectators viewed Ms. Toomer’s cake design, as well as the competition’s judges. Saturday, October 14, the entries were judged, and Ms. Toomer says she stayed away that day, nervous for the results. Sunday, October 15, entrants were called shortly after 3 p.m. to the stage and asked to sit and wait.
Teresa Toomer won second place in the wedding cake competition, against hundreds of other entries. Ms. Toomer says her emotions ran high as she shook the hand of the owner of Satin Ice and accepted her ribbon and certificate. She says she still can’t believe she had won and would like to thank all her customers who helped her reach this point.
America’s Cake Fair was held at the Orange County Convention Center at West Hall on International Drive. The event spanned four days, from Thursday, October 12 to Sunday, October 15.
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