Tips for IronCupcake:Milwaukee Bakers - general

Welcome to Iron Cupcake:Milwaukee

REGISTRATION FORM: Please print the registration form. Complete and sign and bring with you to the challenge. Be sure to include your assigned baker number in the noted box. ***THIS IS NOT YOUR DISPLAY SIGN***

POTLUCK SAFETY from the State of Wisconsin. You will need to review this and sign that you have made yourself aware of the information within.

TIME: Bakers should arrive at 60-90 minutes before the event to set up. The doors will open to media preview 30 minutes before, bakers should be fully set-up by this time.

Feel free to bring minimal propping, dress up, flyers - all to better tell your cupcake’s story.
SPACE IS LIMITED. Each baker has approx. 2' x 4' to display.

Bakers will be asked to "man" their cupcake stations during the tasting. This way you can tell your tasters what they are eating, lobby for their vote, etc. This will help keep tasting under control and prevent some from taking too many.

CUPCAKES: Please bring no less than 12 dozen MINI cupcakes. You are welcome to bring more. Full size cupcake will no longer be acceptable. You may use full size for your display, but minis are required for the tasting portion of the event. Mini muffin and cupcake pans can be purchased at most major supermarkets and bigbox stores.

RECIPE: You may scratch bake or doctor up a box mix. It is your choice. You are not required to submit your recipe.

PRESENTATION: Please bring a small sign stating the content of your cupcake. Also please note if it contains nuts or other allergens. This is considered part of your presentation. See photo at end of this post for an example. It is recommended that you label your cupcakes with your baker number that will be provided the week of the event. Stickers under the cupcake or a small flag works well. Other important notes for your display:

• No fire or open flame.
• No alcohol may be served as a partner to your cupcake.
• There is no guarantee that there will be an outlet near your table. If your display requires power, we recommend battery power.
• No spray, spew or any other display tactics that will cause a mess in our event facilities.
  
• Mechanicals are fine if self-contained.
• SAFETY trumps all else.
  

CHECK-IN: When you arrive, please check-in with your completed registration form. You will receive your own ballot at that time. Teams are fine, however; only 2 members will be admitted free of charge.

VOTING PROCEDURE: Each cupcake will be judged by all in attendance. Voting is based on presentation and taste. Tickets will be collected and tabulated to determine the winner. Ballots are then destroyed to keep the game fun and to keep competitiveness to a minimum. The winner of the taste vote and presentation vote will each receive a Gift Card to various businesses around Milwaukee. In the event of a challenge partner, it is possible that the partner company will also reward a "Partner's Pick" prize as well.

STAY INFORMED: If you have not already done so, please join the FACEBOOK IronCupcake:Milwaukee group. This is the easiest way to stay on top of all things ICM. Also, No One Puts Cupcake in a Corner at http://www.ironcupcakemilwaukee.com has a resource area in the left hand column for reference.