Cupcake wars; one to rule them all

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Montana --  The 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom hosted its first cupcake war April 3 at the base chapel.

Teams were invited from across the wing to create a recipe and get creative with a design theme in the hopes of winning first place and a trophy.

The theme for the competition was based from a literary classic depicting red fish, blue fish, cats in hats and an ecologically conscientious beast from the world of Dr. Seuss.

The idea for the competition came from Chief Master Sgt. Thom Stiles, 341st MW command chief.

“We have so many creative people on this base,” said Stiles. “We have people who love to bake and compete, and I thought why not combine those two qualities and have a base-wide event to get those creative people doing something they love. If we could do it, why not?”

Eighteen teams competed against one another to be the ultimate cupcake champion, proclaimed by a panel of judges.

Four judges tasted quartered bits of 26 different cupcakes. Judges comprised of three local bakery employees and one active-duty member.

The top three teams were recognized. In third place was team Small, Sweet and Sassy, who made three different recipes including a maple bourbon cupcake. The second place team was Sweet Emotion; a father, mother and daughter trio.

The winning team was Warm Blanket of Frosting consisting of Col. Anita Feugate Opperman, 341st Operations Group commander, Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Dahlinger, 341st OG superintendent and Master Sgt. Ruth Salender, 341st OG first sergeant. The team submitted three different recipes with three different designs and came out victorious.

“We had a blast seeing everyone’s creative ideas come to life in such good cupcakes,” said Dahlinger. “I think everyone had a lot of fun.”

The event was attended by approximately 100 Airmen and their families. Families attended along with competitors and spectators.

“The creativity I’ve seen here today blows me away,” said Stiles. “All it takes is an idea to do something different and I am beyond impressed.”