Education

Cypress Ridge High School junior Manmut Libam-Libock and Cypress Ranch High School sophomore Travis Huggins won first place in their respective competition divisions at the sixth annual CFISD High School Cupcake Battle, held Jan. 20 at the Berry Center. 

“They get a chance to show off some of the skills they’ve been learning throughout the year,” said Blair Roy-Granger, Jersey Village culinary arts teacher. “So, it’s just really neat to see everyone’s talent.” 

Philippe Dege, a pastry chef and instructor at the Culinary Institute Lenotre, judges cupcakes at the sixth annual CFISD High School Cupcake Battle on Jan. 20 at the Berry Center. Industry professionals, CFISD culinary arts alumni and local bakers joined CFISD staff members in judging the competition. Judges chose the top three overall cupcakes in the Culinary I and Advanced Culinary divisions, in addition to Best Cake, Best Frosting, Most Unique Flavor, Most Advanced Technique and Best Presentation.

Culinary students prepared cupcakes and presentations the week before the competition at their local campuses and set them up at the Berry Center on the day of the competition. The top three places were awarded in both Advanced Culinary Arts (second-year students) and Culinary I. Winners in both divisions received prizes including KitchenAid mixers, decorating kits, baking accessories and gift cards. 

Students participated in a meringue challenge, a relay-style race that featured participants carrying eggs in spoons and answering food safety questions before ultimately creating a meringue. Teams from Bridgeland and Cypress Ridge high schools won their respective challenges. 

Libam-Libock placed first in the Advanced Culinary, Cypress Woods High School seniorRowan Cecchini finished second and Cypress Springs High School junior Sofia Martinezplaced third. 

Bridgeland High School sophomore Savannah Puente’s enchanted cupcakes won Most Advanced Technique at the sixth annual CFISD High School Cupcake Battle on Jan. 20 at the Berry Center.  

• Best Cake – K’Yan Taylor, Cypress Falls;  
• Best Frosting – Eva Tzintzun, Cypress Springs;  
• Most Unique Cupcake – Adrian Blakaller, Cypress Lakes;  
• Most Advanced Technique – Savannah Puente, Bridgeland; and 
• Best Presentation – Lyla Isra, Cypress Ranch.  

“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Tami Hunt, Cypress Woods High School culinary arts teacher. “It gives the students a local opportunity to be able to go and create amazing things, be judged and be able to talk to other people about their craft.”