Bakers to vie for title of 'Cake Boss'
By Steve Herring
Published in News on September 3, 2018 5:50 AM
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Previous Cake Boss winners include from left, Theresa Weeks, 2016 co-winner; Kate Daniels, 2017 winner; and Beth Painter, 2016 co-winner.
Do you have the baking skills to battle for bragging rights as Mount Olive Cake Boss?
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce President Kate Daniels knows that she does.
Her peanut butter cake brought in about $160 and earned her that title last year, and she plans to compete again when the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce holds its fifth annual Cake Boss competition.
The competition will be part of the Chamber's annual reverse raffle fundraiser dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Southern Wayne Country Club, 262 Country Club Road.
Daniels said her entry will be a hummingbird cake -- a very southern cake.
No hummingbirds will be used in the cake, but Daniels is not sharing her secret recipe.
"But somebody is going to pay big bucks for this cake," she said. "It is great fun."
However, as the previous year's winner, she is not eligible to win the crown again.
Daniels said she enjoys supporting her good friend Mount Olive Area Chamber President Julie Beck and the businesses in Mount Olive.
"I will bake my usual cake, Better than Sex cake, but I am not eligible to win since I already won the title," Beck said.
Last year 12 cakes were entered in the competition bringing in nearly $900.
"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year," fundraiser Chairperson Kristie Norton said. "It is a fun event where people enjoy a good meal, purchase delicious cakes, have opportunities to win cash and get a chance to catch up with friends and neighbors.
"The Mount Olive Chamber appreciates the support we receive each year from community members who purchase tickets and attend our reverse raffle."
Raffle tickets are $100 per couple, and there are only 200 available.
Any business, organization or individual who purchases four or more tickets will get a table reserved in their name.
"Our reverse raffle raises between $8,000 to $12,000 each year," Beck said.
The event will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with a social, followed by the cake auction, steak dinner and the raffle drawing at 7:45 p.m.
In addition to the grand prize of $5,000, reverse raffle ticket holders will have an opportunity to win a tailgate grill valued at $350.
Bakers are encouraged to submit a cake that will be put up for auction.
The cake that goes to the highest bidder will earn the baker the bragging rights as the 2018 Mount Olive Cake Boss.
Only the baker of the cake auctioned for the highest amount will win this distinction.
The winner doesn't win any dough, but does receive a free reverse raffle ticket to the 2019 Chamber Reverse Raffle and other prizes.
Those who donate a cake can purchase a $100 reverse raffle ticket to attend the 2018 event or they can stay at home and let their cake speak for itself.
The baker does not have to be present to win the 2018 Mount Olive Cake Boss.
An auctioneer will lead the cake auction.
All cake entries must be submitted to the Chamber office at 123 N. Center St., no later than 3 p.m., or delivered to Southern Wayne County Club between 4 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 25.
People interested in purchasing a reverse raffle ticket and/or entering a cake into the auction should contact the Chamber at 919-658-3113, send an email to president@mountolivechamber.com or stop by the Chamber office at 123 N. Center St.
All proceeds from the annual reverse raffle and cake auction will benefit future Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce projects and activities.