Our eight finalists traveled to us from across the country with identical challenges--to enrobe and decorate a fantasy wedding cake in a span of three hours--but each interpreted that challenge in their own deliciously creative way.

The Confiseur d'Or Fantasy Wedding Cake Competition began promptly at 8 a.m., with the first group performing both under the watchful eye of judges Gunter Heiland and Joe McKenna, and the D.C. viewing public at large, as Holly Morris of Fox--5 News covered the event on live television.

But the spotlight did not phase these professionals. In fact, all of the competitors remarked on the relaxed and fun nature of the competition. They also delighted at viewing the work of their peers, clicking snapshots as mementos of each other's cakes.

Still, there could be but one winner. Coming out on top was Heather L. Hurlbert from Cherokee Town and Country Club in Atlanta, GA, with her delicate Winter in Springtime creation, which won her a trip to Beaver Creek Colorado for the National Pastry Championship in June. Second place honors and a $1,000 prize went to Andrew Logan of Hotel Hershey in Harrisburg, PA, with his Triple Chocolate Velvet cake. At third was Artis Kalsons of the Four Seasons Olympic, Seattle in Bellevue, WA, with a White Chocolate Cranberry Mousse Cake. Artis will be returning to Gaithersburg, MD in the near future, as his prize was a class of his choice at Ewald Notter's International School of Confectionery Arts. Each of the competitors also walked away from the awards dinner following the competition with a signature Albert Uster cowbell.

A special thank you to Yiannis Kragiopoulos from Stella's Bakery in Rockville, MD and Greg Sincovi from The Cakery in Bowie, MD, for creating such beautiful wedding cakes for our early morning demonstration with Susan Notter on Fox--5, D.C.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!