Desiree Barnes wins top baker in the Border Kei region of Snowflake Rising Stars Bake-Off
Caption: Winner, Desiree Barnes, with her exquisite red vanilla cupcakes topped with vibrant red, blue, and yellow buttercream, finished with strawberry and marshmallow decorations from the 90-minute pressure test challenge
Image: Supplied
King William's Town's Desiree Barnes won the coveted title of best up-and-coming baker in the Border Kei region at this year's Snowflake Rising Stars Bake-Off.
The prestigious event, held on Saturday, 18 October, took place at the Blue-Ribbon Hospitality & Cookery School of Excellence, where local talent was showcased in a thrilling competition that highlighted culinary ingenuity.
Barnes captivated the judges during the colour-themed mystery box challenge, with her standout entry: vibrant red vanilla cupcakes. Her exceptional skills earned her the top prize of R20 000, alongside a business toolkit, public relations exposure, and a stock of Snowflake products to help grow her burgeoning business, DesiB Cakes & Balloon Décor.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude. From the moment I saw the competition advertised, I believed this was something I could win,” Barnes said. “I’m incredibly proud of myself and deeply thankful to Snowflake for this amazing opportunity. To all aspiring bakers, keep believing in yourselves and never stop working toward your dreams. With faith and passion, anything is possible.”
The excitement didn’t stop with Barnes; the competition showcased the talent of ten finalists, each presenting a festive-themed cake, delivering a business elevator pitch, and tackling a 90-minute mystery box challenge. The judges considered various criteria such as taste, texture, creativity, visual appeal, aroma, and the competitors' entrepreneurial potential, evaluating innovation and sustainability essential for thriving in the business landscape.
Bongiwe Ngqokola from Mdantsane, East London, secured second place, earning R15 000, a business toolkit valued at R30 000, PR coverage, and Snowflake stock. In third place, Babalwa Motile from Queensview Park, Komani, took home R10 000 alongside a similar support package.
Now in its second year, the Snowflake Rising Stars competition is executed in partnership with the Border Kei Chamber of Business, as part of Premier's commitment to foster local talent and promote small business development through the Snowflake brand.
“Congratulations to Desiree! This initiative empowers local bakers by providing them with the tools, training, and exposure they need to turn their passion into successful enterprises,” stated Sibongile Mooko, Marketing Executive at Premier. “The creativity and dedication showcased by this year’s finalists have been truly inspiring. With the right ingredients and spirit, these bakers prove that what they make is simply Too Fresh to Flop.”