Wisconsin Dells, WI – The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA), in partnership with the Wisconsin Bakers Association (WBA), has named Angela Fox and Kim Sturdevant of Sendik’s Food Market as Wisconsin’s top grocery cake decorators following the Live Cake Decorating Championship at the WGA Innovation Expo at the Wilderness Resort.
The Sendik’s duo earned the top spot after competing against other talented grocery cake decorators in a fast-paced competition designed to test creativity, craftsmanship, teamwork, and technical skill. Fox has been decorating cakes since 2019 and currently works at Sendik’s in New Berlin, while Sturdevant has been a cake decorator at Sendik’s in Wauwatosa for nearly 10 years. Fox will eventually join the bakery team at Sendik’s new Whitefish Bay location.
“I’m an artist, and I love making art,” Fox said. “I just love bringing other people’s ideas to life, especially when kids ask for something very silly and the parent says, ‘She can’t do that.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh yes I can.’”
Sturdevant said the competition gave decorators an opportunity to let their creativity shine.
“We get to make fun cakes. The creativity is pretty open. We can create anything,” Sturdevant said.
This year’s “S’more Summer” theme inspired contestants to create cakes and other bakery items featuring unique summer designs, like a surfing flamingo and s’mores characters relaxing beachside. Across the competition, teams created approximately 120 items, which were donated to a local food pantry after the contest.
“Cake decorating is where baking, creativity, and craftsmanship come together,” Wisconsin Bakers Association CEO Jessica Hoover said. “We are proud to support opportunities like the Live Cake Decorating Championship presented by the WGA and WBA that allow talented grocery professionals to showcase their skills, challenge themselves and celebrate the artistry that goes into creating beautiful cakes for customers and their communities.”
The competition also highlighted the important role grocery store cake decorators play in helping customers celebrate birthdays, holidays, milestones, and other special occasions.
“Grocery stores offer a wide variety of foods, including beautifully decorated cakes that help customers celebrate life’s special moments,” WGA Board of Directors Chair Steve Burkhardt said. “This contest is one of the many ways we showcase the creativity and talent found throughout Wisconsin’s grocery industry.”
WGA president and CEO Mike Semmann said the competition highlights the skill and dedication of grocery professionals who often work behind the scenes to create memorable experiences for customers.
“Wisconsin’s grocery professionals bring incredible creativity and skill to their work every day,” Semmann said. “We’re proud to recognize the talented people behind the cakes that help make our customers’ celebrations special.”
The WGA and WBA congratulate Fox and Sturdevant and thank all participating decorators, judges, volunteers and sponsors for helping showcase the talent and creativity found throughout Wisconsin’s grocery industry. Special thanks to contest product sponsors Valley Cooperative Association, Lawrence Foods and Cook Specialty Co. Inc., as well as Allen, J&J Snack Foods Corp. and Rich’s for sponsoring this year’s competition.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Images were from the WGA Innovation Expo and were taken by the event’s official photographer, Lashawna Vogel of Lashawna’s Lens.
- Image 1: Kim Sturdevant (left) and Angela Fox with some of their award-winning cake decorating items
- Image 2: Kim Sturdevant, winner, decorates cakes
- Image 3: Teams that competed, including team Hy-Vee, Inc. (left), Sendik’s Food Market, Roundy’s and Miller & Sons
ABOUT THE WISCONSIN GROCERS ASSOCIATION (WGA)
The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) is a non-profit trade association established in 1900 to represent independent grocers and grocery chains, warehouses and brokers, vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers before all levels of government. The WGA provides educational and networking opportunities, leadership training, public affairs, and compliance information for its membership.
WGA and its membership have significant economic impact in the state of Wisconsin. The WGA represents nearly 350 independent grocers with multiple locations across the state, more than 200 retail grocery chain stores, warehouses and distributors, convenience stores, food brokers and suppliers. Wisconsin grocers employ over 30,000 people with over $1 billion in payroll and generate more than $12 billion in annual sales in Wisconsin resulting in approximately $800 million in state sales tax revenue (data provided by The Food Institute).
