Many of us at ADEC are still riding the sugar high from last Friday’s Cupcake Wars Competition- and for good reason! It was a day filled with delicious treats, creativity, and the heartwarming talents of individuals from our day programs, who showcased their baking skills in a spooky, fall-themed bake-off on Friday, September 13th.

For weeks leading up to the event, the kitchens of our day programs were bustling with excitement as participants fine-tuned their cupcake creations. Baking is one of the most popular locations at ADEC, not only because it’s fun but also because it teaches valuable life skills. From shopping for ingredients to reading recipes and mastering the delicate art of icing, our participants took part in every step of the process with guidance from their dedicated staff.

The stakes were high when competition day finally arrived, but so was the enthusiasm!

A panel of five esteemed judges sampled cupcake masterpieces:

Chris Kingsley

ADEC CEO

Jenny Holcomb

ADEC Board Member

Tobi Weirich

ADEC VP of Quality & Advocacy

Isaiah

ADEC Self-Advocate

Roxy

ADEC Self-Advocate

Each cupcake was evaluated for creativity, taste, client involvement, and presentation, making it challenging for the judges to decide on a winner. But the fun didn’t stop there! After the judges made their picks, everyone in attendance got a chance to sample mini versions of the cupcakes and cast their vote for the People’s Choice award.

 

And now, for the moment, we’ve all been waiting for………. the winners!

 

The Creativity Award

Skills & Training Program!

The Award for Taste

Middlebury Day Program!

The Award for Client Involvement

Goshen (Shoots) Day Program!

The Presentation Award

Elkhart (Plaza) Day Program!

People's Choice Award

Goshen (Shoots) and Elkhart (Plaza) Day Programs!

The Gaining Grounds Center was filled with smiles, laughter, and even some dancing as participants celebrated their hard work and creativity. Cupcake Wars wasn’t just about the tasty treats- it was about bringing our community together to celebrate the unique skills and talents of the individuals we serve.

Congratulations to all our bakers, and thank you to everyone who made this event a sweet success!