Rules and regulations 2026:
General Competition Rules:
All forms are available on the website
1. The competition is open to all sugar artists. The displays must be the sole work of the individual entering the competition. Taking inspiration from others’ work and techniques is acceptable, but copies are not acceptable.
2. The competition has a few themes (read Divisions and categories). Each entry must follow the category theme. Entries that do not follow this rule can be displayed but will not be judged.
3. Each category requires a separate application form.
4. Entries from other shows are not acceptable. Prior entries from this Show or other shows can only be entered with the sign “For display only”, and the entry will not receive an award.
5. We prohibit all social media photos of the entry prior to the Show. This ensures fair and unbiased judging.
6. No copyrighted or trademarked characters, logos, or likenesses of any kind are allowed. Original interpretation -yes, recognizable likeness- not. Selfie portraits are not permitted on any entries. Pop culture or other referenced elements are allowed, particularly in relation to the annual theme.
7. Each entry must have an Entry Form and at least 3 (three) in-progress photos and a short video recording of the final work (showing all sides of the entry). All submitted materials will be used for verification purposes.
8. Ribbons can be used only on cake boards, using ribbons or other fabrics on cakes is not allowed.
9. Purchased ready-made decorations may not be used.
10. Wires and stamens are allowed. Following food safety practices: all wires, armatures, and non-edible elements that would not normally be considered safe to be in contact with food, must be treated in the same way as if the cake is being consumed. When using sugar flowers on a cake, the Judges will verify the proper use of posy picks, straws, etc.(please provide pictures)
11. Only products considered edible (food) by the FDA are permitted on cakes.
12. Each entrant grants organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, and transferable right and license to use, reproduce, create derivative works of, distribute for promotion of the Show and educational purposes.
13. Prizes will be distributed during the Awards Ceremony on October 7, 2026.
14. First, second and third place ribbons will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Prizes may not be awarded in all categories.
15. People's Choice collection will be donated to charity organizations and a ribbon awarded.
16. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited and donated to charity organizations.
17. All taxes on any prize(s) won are the sole responsibility of each winner, including, without limitation, any federal, state, or local taxes which may be deemed applicable in such winner’s jurisdiction of residence.
Prohibited Items:
1. Purchased ready-made decorations.
2. Craft glue gun under any circumstances (on cake surface or decorating) –not edible.
3. Bird feathers.
4. Cold porcelain.
5. Sewing pins on the cake surface, in the flower arrangement or on the cake board.
6. Plastic columns.
Tentative Schedule of Events
(Please see the website for the complete Schedule)
-
Holiday cakes/ Special occasional Cakes.
Registration opens – March 1, 2026
Registration closes – June 1, 2026
Judging- from June 1 to June 17, 2026
YouTube life – June 17, 2026
2. Wedding Cakes
Registration opens – March 1, 2026
Registration closes – July 1, 2026
Judging- from July 1 to July 15, 2026
YouTube life – July 15, 2026
3. Sculpted cakes
Registration opens – March 1, 2026
Registration closes – August 1, 2026
Judging- from August 1 to August 12, 2026
YouTube life – August 12, 2026
4. Decorated cookies
Registration opens – March 1, 2026
Registration closes – September 1, 2026
Judging- from September 1 to September 16, 2026
YouTube life – September 16, 2026
Awards Ceremony - October 7, 2026
Judging:
1. Judging of the entries will be completed by teams of qualified judges selected by the Show Committee.
2. The judges’ decisions will be final.
3. Judging will be conducted in a consensus style.
4. Awards will be at the judges’ discretion based on the criteria. There is not automatically a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award.
5. Judges will be given a sheet explaining the show’s expectations and the rules for each category. Competitors can request to receive comment sheets at the end of the show, after the Awards ceremony.
6. The Show Committee enforces policy and procedures. Any issues regarding proper placement, originality, etc., brought to the attention of the Show Committee during the show will be directed to the Head Judge so that a determination can be made.
7. The Show Committee and Judges reserve the right to reclassify entries. Discriminatory, pornographic, or entries done in poor taste, will be disqualified and removed from judging.
​Scoring:
1. Entries are only judged according to the criteria listed in the rules, the judging information sheets, and against only those entries in the same Division and Category.
2. The scoring system for Holiday cakes/Special occasional Cakes, Wedding Cakes Categories, and Sculpted cakes will be based on the following criteria:
- Interpretation of theme (10 pts)
- Skill and Precision of Techniques (15 pts)
- Originality and Creativity (15 pts)
- Difficulty of Techniques (15 pts)
- Number of Techniques Used (15 pts)
- Proportion, Balance, and Use of Color (15 pts)
- Overall Eye Appeal/Judge’s Discretion (15 pts).
3. The scoring system for Decorated Cookies Category will be based on the following criteria:
- Interpretation of theme (10 pts)
- Number and difficulty of decorating techniques used (15 pts)
- Originality and Creativity (15 pts)
- Difficulty of Techniques (15 pts)
- Number of Techniques Used (15 pts)
- Proportion, Balance, and Use of Color (15 pts)
- Overall Eye Appeal/Judge’s Discretion (15 pts).
​
Divisions and categories:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PLACE YOURSELF IN THE CORRECT DIVISION.
If you meet even one requirement under a division, that is the lowest division you may enter!
If you have previously won Best of a Division twice, move to the next higher division.
PLEASE PLACE YOURSELF FAIRLY
​
BEGINNER (including Culinary Students): Anyone who is over age 16, is self-taught through online classes, books, etc., has been decorating as a hobby for less than 2 years, has taken less than 25 hours of sugar art classes, is enrolled in an adult culinary pastry program, or has graduated from one within the last 6 months.
​
INTERMEDIATE: Anyone who has been decorating for two years or more as a hobby, has taken 25 to 50 hours of sugar art classes, is enrolled in an adult cake and baking program, or has graduated from one within the last 6 months, has won one Best of Beginner Division award.
​
ADVANCED/SEMI-PROFESSIONAL: Anyone who has been decorating for more than three (3) years, has taken 60 to 90 hours of sugar art classes, creates cakes for sale as a part-time business, has less than three years of entry-level commercial bakery experience, teaches basic cake decorating classes, and has won two Best of Intermediate Division awards. Less than 49% of foreign or special techniques may be used.
​
PROFESSIONAL/MASTER: High level of skill. More than 90 hours of cake decorating or sugar art instruction, including online courses. Maybe decorating for profit or working as a decorator. It is known to have mastered specific mediums and techniques. May be an author, instructor, or work in the sugar art business.
​
1. Competitors may enter only one Division but submit as many Category entries in that Division as they choose. You may enter the same Category repeatedly (i.e., competing against yourself).
2. Competitors who compete in other similar competitions should compete in an equivalent Division, and in no case can they enter this competition in a lower Division.
3. Categories:
- Holiday cake/ Special occasional Cakes- open for all divisions. Each division will be judged separately.
- Wedding cake- open for all divisions. Each division will be judged separately.
- Sculpted cake- open for all divisions. Each division will be judged separately.
- Decorated cookies– open for all divisions. All divisions will be judged the same regardless of the division.
4. Please pay attention, in 2026 competition, each category has its own theme and application form.
​
​
Holiday cakes/ Special occasional Cakes.
The theme is 250 years of American independence
The application form you can find here (link)
1. The entry must be a minimum of 2 full tiers at least 4 inches high and meet the minimum serving size of 22 guests (party cake cutting size), and other display requirements detailed below, as well as, the General Competition Rules detailed above.
2. Each entry must not exceed a base measurement of 14”x14”. The base may be any size that is appropriate to the design, but no element of the design may exceed 14”x14”.
3. Cake dummies must be used: real cakes are permitted.
4. There is no height restriction in this category.
5. All standard shaped cakes are acceptable (including, but not limited to: round, square, hexagon, paisley, sphere, hourglass, tapered, and angled). Must be able to produce with real cake.
6. Entries in this category can include custom-sculpted cake tier components.
​
Wedding Cakes
The application form you can find here (link)
Cakes with three or more tiers decorated specifically for a wedding.
Tiers can be offset, floating, tilted, or stacked in any way as long as there are multiple, distinct levels of cake (must be able to produce with real cake.)
Each cake must follow the competition theme “Summer wedding in Central park”. Meet Mary and Mark. Mary is a teacher from Texas. Mark is a doctor from Massachusetts. They met online during the Covid years and got engaged in Miami. They love travel, nature, and hiking, and they are planning their honeymoon in Greece. This August, Mary and Mark will celebrate their wedding in Central Park, New York — a place where nature and city life come together.
Your task is to design a cake that reflects their story, their personalities, and the spirit of their celebration.
1. The wedding cake must be a minimum of 3 full tiers at least 4-inches high and meet the minimum serving size of 80 guests (wedding cake cutting size), and other display requirements detailed below, as well as, the General Competition Rules detailed above.
2. Each entry must not exceed a base measurement of 24”x24”. The base may be any size that is appropriate to the design, but no element of the design may exceed 24”x24”.
3. Cake dummies must be used: real cakes are permitted.
4. There is no height restriction in this category.
5. All standard shaped cakes are acceptable (including, but not limited to: round, square, hexagon, paisley, sphere, hourglass, tapered, and angled).
6. Entries in this category can include custom-sculpted cake tier components.
7. Sugar flowers and royal icing piping are not mandatory but will increase your scores.
​Sculpted cakes
The application form you can find here (link)
Each entry must follow the theme: hyper realistic groom cake for Mark. Mark is a doctor who loves travel, hiking, and rock climbing. Your task is to design a sculpted groom’s cake that reflects his personality, interests, and lifestyle through realism, craftsmanship, and strong technical execution. Elements of Mark’s story — including his engagement in Miami, wedding in Central Park, and honeymoon in Greece — may be used as inspiration. These details are optional and should support the concept without overpowering it.
1. Entries may not exceed a base measurement of 24”x 24”. The base may be smaller as the competitor sees fit, but no element of the completed entry may exceed 24” x 24”.
2. There is no height restriction in this category.
​ 3. The display must be at least 50% cake and other edible materials, and 50% non-edible materials (Styrofoam and structure supports).
4. At least three (3) in progress, step-by-step photos showing the actual carving of the cake must accompany the entry.
5. Any icing mediums are allowed.
Decorated cookies
The application form you can find here (link)
Each entry must follow the competition theme, “National Bakery Day.”
1. Entries may not exceed a base measurement of 12”x 12”. The base may be smaller as the competitor sees fit, but no element of the completed entry may exceed 12” x 12”.
2. There is no height restriction in this category.
3. All entries must be made using real cookies; with a minimum of six (6) cookies and a maximum of 12.
4. The cookies can be flat, 2D or 3D or a combination and as long as they are each decorated differently.
​
Sweet Art Master Show Committee reserves the right to edit/correct these rules as necessary. All edits will be listed and dated below. If we send out answers, we deem worthy of inclusion in these rules, we will also list and date those answers below. Any errors or questions will be recorded to comply with next year’s rules.
Please send all your questions on sweetartmastershow@yahoo.com, subject: competition
We look forward to seeing your work.
​
Edits made January 8th 2026