by Linda Cloutier

Monday, September 3, 2012

A Little Sadness Tempered with Exciting News

Today is the final day of the 2012 Colorado State Fair. It's also the day of this year's Themed Cake Decorating Contest. I've entered for the past three years. Remember these? It was winning 3rd place with the barnyard cake that really boosted my confidence in my cake decorating skills. Those contests will always be special to me.


The little bit of sadness I'm feeling today is because I didn't enter this year. Many of the special contests at the State Fair are strictly for amateur, non-professional cooks, bakers, and cake decorators. Specifically, "anyone who works in the food industry in any capacity, or operates a catering business, or wears an apron professionally" are excluded from entering.

We all (many of you, anyway) know that I work in a high school. And that I love it. And that's not going to change. And that sure doesn't involve an apron. Which brings us to the exciting part.

This past March, Gov. Hickenlooper signed SB 12-048, commonly known as the Colorado Cottage Food Bill. What does this mean to me? Well, it means for a smallish investment (a food safety class, insurance, a website) I can legally sell cakes and other baked goods from my home kitchen, with some restrictions. It means I can take my hobby to the next level. The next level, for me at least, is to sell just a few really special cakes a year.


This blog will remain dedicated to my cake decorating competitions, though. I have no intention of turning it into a showcase for my sold cakes. That's what Facebook is for! I'd love to have you stop by and say hello, and maybe even LIKE my page while you're there. I'm Iced and Dazzle on Facebook and if you want to check out my website, it's here.

I am looking forward to this next venture just as much as I am to my next cake decorating competition!