In this high-energy, live cake decorating competition, youth will engage in a creative, hands-on experience that fosters artistic expression, builds confidence, and promotes life skills such as planning, time management, and public presentation. In two competition levels, beginner and intermediate/advanced, youth will compete in timed rounds to transform plain cakes into themed masterpieces.
2026 State Cake Decorating Competition Information:
- Who: Youth ages 8 - 18 will compete in categories of Beginner or Intermediate/Advanced
- What: FREE! Timed, judged cake decorating competition with prizes!
- When: May 7, 2026 | Beginner level: 9:45 am - 2:15 pm | Intermediate/Advanced level: 11:00 am - 3:35 pm
- Where: Bevier Hall (Food Science and Human Nutrition Food Labs -third floor of Bevier Hall) | 905 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL
- How: Each participant must register via ZSuite and be enrolled in a 4-H club. Promotion from a county event is not required to participate in the state cake decorating competition. Registration opens February 23rd through April 17th at go.illinois.edu/CakeDecoratingCompetition. Event information and required forms are included in registration.
Rules, Guidelines, and Scoring
Additional questions or accommodation requests
Creative and Cultural Arts Specialist
Danielle Gapinski
