ROCKLAND — The Midcoast School of Technology is supplying the dessert for the sixth annual Coast Guard Appreciation dinner this evening, May 6, and the culinary baking program at the school made a variety of cupcakes for the event. Each were judged by an esteemed panel of judges before announcing the winners. Top spot gets the distinction of featured dessert at the dinner.

Beth Fisher, director of MCST, said the culinary program is a two-year program. Close to the end of the year is the opportunity for the students to show off their best works.

Carol Pelletier, who is one of the course instructors, said the cupcakes are judged on a number of factors.

“Uniform size,” she said, for starters. “The color selection needs to be attractive. When you taste it, it has to be moist and not too dry. The filling and decoration has to be appropriate to the cupcake. Lastly, we look at the filling, frosting and garnish.”

Pelletier said last year the Coast Guard approached the school to make cupcakes for the dinner. Pelletier saw it as a great opportunity for her students to go crazy with cupcakes, frosting, decorating and garnishes.And to show their very best work.

Pelletier said last year the Coast Guard liked the desserts, and came back asking them to do it again this year.

“There’s a cupcake for every student,” she said. “I have eight students in the morning and 22 in the afternoon. The Coast Guard ordered 13 dozen, but they will get more than that. We even have a gluten-free cupcake this year.” 

The students wait in a room away from the judging to see who wins top honors.  

And the winners are:

A tie for First: Shelbe Wile, Medomak Valley High School, with gluten-free Lime in the Coconut Cupcakes, and Brianna Knowlton, Oceanside High School, with Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

Second Place: Thia Carter, Islesboro Community School, Nutella Lava Cupcake

Third Place: Anna Stowe, Oceanside High School, Oreo cookies and cream cupcakes