Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™
2nd Virtual Edition
Competition Preview

So, as you’ve probably heard by now, Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ is going virtual AGAIN in 2022! While I am tremendously saddened that That Takes the Cake (TTTC) Show, the usual host of my usually in-person competition, has cancelled this year’s February event in Austin, “the show must go on” as TTTC and I have come to say. I remain committed to making sure creativity and innovation flourish in the cookie arts, and bringing my competition online again is my way of carrying this torch.

While registration for my online competition won’t officially open until June 15, I wanted to re-publish the competition theme, classifications/categories, and rules here stat, so that everyone, including those who may have been working on entries for TTTC as well as newcomers, can review them in advance. The rules below are essentially what was already posted to the TTTC site, barring some small changes required because of the now-online nature of the competition. As with last year, entries will be submitted online in photo- and video-format, but those specific submission requirements will not be published until June 15 when registration opens.

Until then, please review the following information, and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below or via email at sweetlife@juliausher.com.

If you’re interested in sponsoring the second virtual edition of Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™, I’d love to have your support! You can find sponsorship details in the revised 2022 Sponsorship Offering, and you can email me at any time, of course.

2022 REVISED COOKIE COMPETITION TIMETABLE
  • May 30 (or sooner): Sponsor commitments and artwork are due.
  • June 15 (5 pm CDT): Competitor registration opens on Eventbrite (non-refundable $15 USD entry fee per entry, to cover competition admin costs; any previously paid reg fees to TTTC will be refunded by TTTC).
  • June 15 (or sooner) – September 15: Competitors prepare entries.
  • September 15 (5 pm CDT): Registration closes and all entry forms and submission materials must be uploaded to Cookie Connection. (Links to online entry forms will automatically be emailed to registrants, via Eventbrite, as soon as Eventbrite has processed your registration form/payment. Again, contents of entry forms and all required submission materials will be shared in June when registration on Eventbrite goes live.)
  • September 15: Judging begins.
  • October 15 (subject to change, depending on number of entries): Finalists announced!
  • October 30 (subject to change, depending on number of entries): Winners announced!
CLASSIFICATIONS
  • Open to teens and adults, anyone 13 years of age or older anywhere in the world.
  • NEW THIS YEAR: Two skills-based classifications in each category, as defined here: (1) Advanced/Master: Sugar artists with five (5) or more years of cookie decorating experience and/or those recognized as having advanced cookie decorating skills or mastery of cookie decorating techniques. Also includes all cookie decorating instructors and anyone who has placed in any cookie competition in the past. Can include either hobbyists or those who work professionally in cookie decorating. (2) Beginner/Intermediate: Sugar artists with less than five (5) years of cookie decorating experience who are developing their skills. Also includes anyone who does not fit the “Advanced/Master” description above. Can include either hobbyists or those who work professionally in cookie decorating, as long as the individual is not a cookie decorating instructor.
CATEGORIES
  • 2-D Cookie: A single large flat decorated cookie OR a collection of flat decorated cookies (no maximum cookie count) arranged laying down, artistically, and also minimally overlapping, so that the decorative details on each cookie can be seen in your submitted photographs. (By “flat”, we mean the cookies themselves must be flat; they can be decorated with icing and other media to create added dimension.) The entire entry must be no smaller than 1 x 1 foot (30 x 30 cm) and no bigger than 3 x 3 feet (91 x 91 cm). These measurements relate to the cookie or cookie composition and exclude any inedible baseboard.
  • 3-D Cookie: A multi-cookie construction, where decorated cookies are arranged in any orientation and pieced together to create a freestanding, dimensional piece of cookie art. A minimum of 12 decorated cookies must comprise this construction; there is no maximum cookie count. The cookies in the entry needn’t be flat; they can also be contoured, embossed, molded, modeled, sculpted, or otherwise shaped. The entire entry must fit into a 2 x 2 x 3-foot-tall (61 x 61 x 91-cm-tall, L x W x H) area. The entry may be smaller than this area, but it cannot be larger. Again, these dimensions relate to the cookie structure and exclude any inedible baseboard. Important: A 3-D cookie is not a flat cookie onto which royal icing has been pressure-piped or added as a transfer to create dimension. Likewise, a 3-D cookie is not a flat cookie onto which molded or modeled fondant (or some other decorating medium) has been added for dimension. Cookies of these descriptions should be placed in the 2-D Cookie category.
THEME

Broadway & Musicals
(or off-Broadway live theater productions for our international participants)
The theme is the same for all categories and skill level classifications.

PRIZES

As always, ample cash prizes and gift certificates will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category/classification. These prizes will be announced in May 2022. In 2021, they topped $14,000 (of which $8,000 was cash)!

JUDGING SYSTEM
  • Scored on a 70-point system for 2-D Cookie; 90-point system for 3-D Cookie; see “Judging Criteria” below for details.
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be chosen for each skill level classification within each category. So twelve (12) prizes in total will be awarded. The Kerry Vincent Best in Show Award will also be given to the one entry (across all categories and skill levels) that most impressed the judges because of its technical superiority, powerful messaging, and/or innovation.
  • Score sheets with judges’ feedback will be delivered digitally after winners are announced, but only if requested prior to November 1 (date subject to change).
JUDGING CRITERIA

For 2-D Cookie Category:
(10 points awarded across each of 7 criteria for a total of 70 points)

  1. Interpretation of theme: Broadway & Musicals (Think out of the box; judges often prefer theme interpretations that are personal or unpredictable, or that tell a story through the relationship of cookies in the piece.)
  2. Number and difficulty of decorating techniques used (Decorating techniques include, but are not limited to, outlining/flooding, dipping, dimensional pressure piping, wet-on-wet/marbling, stenciling, airbrushing, painting, stamping, fondant work, edible paper work, isomalt, etc.)
  3. Mastery of techniques used
  4. Cleanliness of icing/covering and cookies
  5. Originality of cookie designs (Copies of copyrighted material of any kind – characters, logos, others’ original art, etc. – are not allowed. Yes, this means you can’t copy show logos. You’ll need to get creative in how you express what “Broadway & Musicals” means to you.)
  6. Setup/display (Edible plates, platters, or other display pieces will be awarded more points.)
  7. Overall appeal

For 3-D Cookie Category:
(10 points awarded across each of 9 criteria for a total of 90 points)

  1. Interpretation of theme: Broadway & Musicals (Think out of the box; judges often prefer theme interpretations that are personal or unpredictable, or that tell a story through the relationship of cookies in the piece.)
  2. Number and difficulty of decorating techniques used (Decorating techniques include, but are not limited to, outlining/flooding, dipping, dimensional pressure piping, wet-on-wet/marbling, stenciling, airbrushing, painting, stamping, fondant work, edible paper work, isomalt, etc.)
  3. Number and difficulty of construction techniques used (Construction techniques include, but are not limited to, contouring dough, embossing or molding dough, stacked or sandwiched 3-D constructions, 3-D mitered corner constructions, cookies on sticks, etc.)
  4. Mastery of decorating and construction techniques used
  5. Cleanliness of individual cookie elements and 3-D construction
  6. Scale, balance, and viewability of 3-D construction (from all angles)
  7. Originality of design (Copies of copyrighted material of any kind – characters, logos, others’ original art, etc. – are not allowed. Yes, this means you can’t copy show logos. You’ll need to get creative in how you express what “Broadway & Musicals” means to you.)
  8. Setup/display (Edible plates, platters, or other display pieces will be awarded more points.)
  9. Overall appeal
RULES

General Rules for All Cookie Categories/Classifications:

  • A completed registration form and paid entry fee (non-refundable $15 USD per entry) are required before you can receive a link to the online entry form(s). Again, registration will not open until June 15 (5 pm CDT). There will be a different entry form for each classification/category, so be sure to select the one that pertains to you. Competition admin will not reclassify entries that have already been submitted.
  • There is no limit on the number of entries per person. However, a separate $15 USD entry fee is required per entry.
  • Entrants must submit a complete entry form that contains the entrant’s name, email address, phone number, theme interpretation, description of techniques and media used, a video, a hero photo, several supporting photos, and a few other items. Please review the “Category-Specific Submission Requirements” in the section below (coming in June), and have the items listed there prepared before you sit down to submit your entry.
  • Again, links to entry forms will automatically be emailed to you, via Eventbrite, as soon as Eventbrite has processed your registration form/payment. The links will direct you to a secure area on Cookie Connection where you will be prompted to upload the items listed in the “Category-Specific Submission Requirements” (coming in June).
  • Very important: The name, email address, and phone number that you use to register on Eventbrite must match those on your entry form on Cookie Connection. Otherwise, we will not be able to verify that you paid an entry fee, and your entry will be eliminated.
  • Absolutely no markings (names, logos, etc.) that identify you or your business should be on or in any of the videos, photos, or text descriptions that you submit on your entry form. Likewise, you must maintain the anonymity of your entry until judging is complete (meaning you cannot display your entry on social media or show your entry to judges in advance). All judging is done blind, without knowing the entrant, to ensure the most objective evaluations. (Names, email addresses, and phone numbers submitted on entry forms will be masked before judging occurs.)
  • Entries must be arranged and photographed/videotaped on a solid single-color backdrop with no additional photo styling or staging. The cookies should speak for themselves!
  • Videos should not be professionally produced; a simple video taken on your mobile phone will suffice. The primary goal of the video is to ensure that judges can see your entry from all angles.
  • Videos and photos cannot be digitally altered in any way. The use of filters, color enhancements, removal of flaws, and any adjustments that change how the entry views in real life to the human eye are strictly prohibited. Exception: Exposure adjustments can be made to correct for poor ambient lighting.
  • The entry must be made, in its entirety, by the entrant. Faux or store-bought cookies or icing cannot be used. No one else can assist with the entry. Collaborations are prohibited.
  • The entry cannot have been previously entered in another competition, show, or exhibition. The work must be fresh and tailored to this competition’s theme.
  • The entry cannot contain copies or close facsimiles of others’ copyrighted designs, art, logos, or other material. Remember: Originality is rewarded in this competition!
  • The entry cannot contain inedible materials, including those labeled “nontoxic” or “for display use only”. Any items that could be construed by judges as inedible (including, but not limited to, pencil, luster dusts, and glitters) should either not be used or be clearly identified by brand name on your entry form in the area where techniques are described so that judges can verify their edibility. Remember, “nontoxic” does not equate to “edible”. Exception for 3-D Cookie Category: Internal supports are discouraged, but allowed if they are clearly visible to judges in your hero photo (without looking at any work-in-process photos) and could easily be removed from the cookie(s) if they were to be eaten (i.e., such as sticks in cookie pops).
  • You must conduct yourself in an ethical and professional manner, and treat others in our global community just as you want to be treated yourself. This competition celebrates diversity and inclusivity, and we expect our entrants to do the same. Good sportsmanship also matters!
  • By submitting an entry, you are giving us permission to share any photos or videos you included in your entry form, but only after the competition winners are announced, and only with proper attribution of your material. Use of photos/videos will be limited to publicizing finalists, winners, and future competitions.
  • By submitting an entry, you certify that you have read and abided by all of the above rules as well as the specific submission requirements for your category (or categories), below. Judges reserve the right to deduct points or to disqualify any entry they feel violates rules or doesn’t meet requirements, or any entrant who behaves in a manner inconsistent with the values of this competition.
  • Judges’ decisions are final.

Additional 2-D Cookie Rules:
Theme: Broadway & Musicals

  • All general rules, as described above, must be met. 
  • Again, the entry must conform to the minimum cookie number (1) and overall entry size requirements for the 2-D Cookie category, as described under “Categories” above.

Additional 3-D Cookie Rules:
Theme: Broadway & Musicals

  • All general rules, as described above, must be met.
  • Again, the entry must conform to the minimum cookie number (12) and overall entry size requirements for the 3-D Cookie category, as described under “Categories” above.
  • All cookies included in the construction must be clearly identified on the entrant’s entry form and shown in one of the required work-in-process photos.
  • Again, internal supports are discouraged, but allowed if they are clearly visible to judges (without looking at any work-in-process photos) and can easily be removed from the cookie(s) if they were to be eaten (i.e., such as cookie pops).
SPECIFIC SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH CATEGORY
(COMING IN JUNE)

Please review the following “Category-Specific Submission Requirements”, and have the items listed in them (primarily photos and one video) prepared before you sit down to submit your entry. The required materials vary by category in some key ways, so read them carefully.

  • 2-D Cookie Submission Requirements (COMING IN JUNE)
  • 3-D Cookie Submission Requirements (COMING IN JUNE)

For examples of what these requirements looked like for the past competition in 2021, click here and scroll to the end of the post, but please note that the requirements for 2022 may be somewhat different.

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST!

Relax and have fun with this competition! While we award prizes, every entrant comes out a winner for having made an investment in him/herself! Just by participating, you are assured of achieving your own personal best!

Any questions? Again, please leave them in the comments below or contact me at sweetlife@juliausher.com.

Want to sponsor? I’d love that! Please download the 2022 Sponsorship Offering and/or email me.

KEY COMPETITION LINKS: