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Arcadia Weekly Jan 23, 2015
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Pictured is popular video baking star Rachel Fong, 16, representing Kawaii Sweet World – Courtesy photo
Thousands of professional bakers, sweets enthusiasts, bloggers, and foodies have already snapped up tickets for LA Cookie Con and Sweets Show, billed as the West Coast’s biggest pastry party. The event will be held Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Pasadena Convention Center.
“We’re so excited to have LA Cookie Con and Sweets Show choose the City of Pasadena for its launch,” said Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard. “We welcome the show and look forward to watching it grow year after year.”
The convention’s ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. will be presided over by Bogaard and Food Network star Ron Ben-Israel, who is one of the world’s most famous cake decorators and culinary personalities. The show runs through 5 p.m.
Along with notable contestants from popular culinary competitions such as Fox’s “Masterchef” and “Masterchef Junior,” TLC’s “Cake Boss: Next Great Baker” and “Next Food Network Star” and Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars,” the convention recently added four of YouTube’s most popular baking bloggers, or vloggers, to the lineup.
King Arthur Flour is sponsoring Bay Area resident Rachel Fong of Kawaii Sweet World, a 16-year-old baker whose videos feature festive sweets ranging from Hello Kitty cakes to emoticon cake pops.
“Rachel represents a new generation of bakers and chefs who learn their craft online,” said LA Cookie Con organizer Nancy Tei. “By bringing her to the show, King Arthur is connecting with a whole new generation of enthusiasts and future professionals.”
Fong is joined by Gemma Stafford of Bigger Bolder Baking, whose video featuring microwave-friendly mug cakes recently went viral and has racked up more than 2 million hits; Anna O’Steen of Lovely Lady Cakes; and Lainey Liz of Simply Bakings. Together, the show’s YouTube stars boast more than 46 million views. They will appear onstage during a special YouTube Bakers Panel offering tips for aspiring Internet stars.
Tickets to LA Cookie Con and Sweets Show must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door. General Admission is $21 and VIP is $50. Tickets are all inclusive of samples, classes, demos, workshops, and celebrity appearances; spaces and quantities are limited for some offerings.
LA Cookie Con and Sweets Show is presented by AKT Entertainment, LLC, which will donate 10 percent of ticket proceeds and 100 percent of raffle and baking contest proceeds to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.lacookiecon.com.
