1. ENTERTAINMENT Insight
By Colette House
Baking enthusiasts get your muffin pans, baking
sheets and mixing bowls ready. America’s Baking
and Sweets Show is coming to the Renaissance
Schaumburg Convention Center Nov. 11-13. Discount
show entry tickets can be purchased on the show’s
website. The show typically draws a crowd of 10,000
over three days and features local and national
vendors, cooking demonstrations, main stage
demonstrations and baking competitions.
“This is an opportunity to explore, discover and
shop,” said Joanna Miller, director of Business
Development for America’s Baking and Sweets Show.
Miller said some of the classes have already
reached capacity. She encourages those interested
in taking classes to register for their favorites online
in advance of the weekend. Miller said discounted
show tickets can be purchased through the America’s
Baking and Sweets Show website as well.
“If you’re interested, make sure you reserve a seat
for your class,” said Miller.
Hands-on classes are 2.5 hours long and prices
vary for each. Classes include how to make a teapot
cake, how to make confectionery flowers and
“Cooking and Baking Tips with Sally,” taught by Sally
McKenney. Baking demonstration classes running
throughout the weekend include how to make
chocolate marshmallows, cupcakes, brownies, honey
and lemon madeleines, and chocolate caramels.
Inadditiontohands-onclassesanddemonstrations,
expert bakers will be speaking, giving baking tips and
teaching on the main stage Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, Nov. 11-13. Experts include blogger Sally
McKenney of Sally’s Baking Addiction, Malika Ameen,
contestant of Bravo’s Top Chef: Just Desserts, and
Emmy-Award winning television producer, Rushion
McDonald. Sarah Owens, owner of BK17 Bakery in
Brooklyn, New York; Shauna Sever, home baking
expert, television host and author; and Elise Strachan
of My Baking Addiction will also be featured on the
main stage as the show’s headliner.
“All the folks teaching are industry experts,” said
Miller. “They’re the best of the best.”
Miller said the show is hosting a wedding cake
competition for professional bakers in partnership
with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)
this year. Contestants can enter the competition until
Nov 7.
“To support the NOCC all wedding cakes entered
must have teal (the color of the NOCC) in their design,”
said Miller.
The show is also hosting a themed cake
competition. This year’s competition is themed as
“Finding Neverland Peter Pan,” and features both
adult and junior divisions. The junior division is
reserved for children ages 12-17. Contestants have
until Nov. 7 to enter their division.
The Home Baked Competition features five
categories: Gingerbread Cookies, Banana Nut Bread,
Frosted Chocolate Cupcakes, Lemon Bars or Vanilla
Cheesecake with Fruit Topping division. Winners will
be announced on the main stage over the weekend.
If you’re simply looking to enjoy some family time,
the show has a Family Zone where kids can decorate
baked goods sponsored by Schaumburg business, My
Sweet Kake, for children under 12.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov.
11 and 12 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 13.
www.americasbakingandsweetshsow.com.
America’s Baking and Sweets Show
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, Nov. 11-13
www.americasbakingandsweetsshow.com
Chicago’s Sweetest Affair Comes to the
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center