Jan. 22, 2024—Cypress Lakes High School sophomore Jada Stelmach and Cypress Ranch High School junior Lyla Isra won first place in their respective competition divisions at the seventh annual CFISD High School Cupcake Battle, held Jan. 19 at the Berry Center.

Cypress Lakes High School sophomore Jada Stelmach placed first in the Culinary I division of the seventh annual CFISD Cupcake Battle on Jan. 19, making a lime and Tajín flavored cupcake.

The competition featured more than 60 entries from all 12 CFISD high schools. Industry professionals, CFISD culinary arts alumni and local bakers joined CFISD staff members in judging this year’s competition. The judges graded the cupcakes for multiple categories, including overall taste and design, Best Cake, Best Frosting, Most Unique Flavor, Most Advanced Technique and Best Presentation.

Cypress Ranch High School junior Lyla Isra placed first in the Advanced Culinary division of the seventh annual CFISD Cupcake Battle on Jan. 19.

During judging, participating culinary students participated in a ravioli challenge in addition to a breakout session featuring Sheila Brooks, co-owner of Cake Craft Shoppe. The relay-style challenge featured students carrying ingredients and answering food safety questions before creating ricotta-filled ravioli. Teams from Cypress Springs, (Session A), Cypress Creek (Session B) and Cypress Ridge high schools (Session C) won their respective challenges.

Breakout box challenge winners were Cy-Fair High School (Session A) and Cypress Ranch High School/Cy-Fair Culinary Academy West (Session C).

Culinary students prepared cupcakes and presentations the week before the competition at their local campuses and set them up at the Berry Center on the day of the competition. The top three places were awarded in both Advanced Culinary Arts (second-year students) and Culinary I. Winners in both divisions received prizes including KitchenAid mixers, decorating kits, baking accessories and gift cards.

Cypress Ranch junior Lyla Isra’s Biscoff white chocolate cupcake won first place in the Advanced Culinary division on the seventh annual CFISD Cupcake Battle. 

Stelmach placed first in the Culinary I division, Cypress Ranch sophomore Nicki Kirby finished second and Cypress Ridge junior Nevaeh Gilbert placed third.

Isra placed first in the Advanced Culinary division, Cypress Woods High School junior Weston Taylor finished second and Cy-Fair High School senior Cristalyn Vazquez placed third.

Cypress Park High School students compete in the ravioli making competition at the CFISD Cupcake Battle. 

The following culinary arts students won specialty awards:

• Best Overall Cake – Gabriella Darby, sophomore, Cypress Ridge;
• Best Overall Frosting – Brandon Romans, senior, Cypress Springs;
• Most Unique Cupcake – Victoria Cordero, sophomore, Cypress Ranch;
• Most Advanced Technique – Madi Green, sophomore, Cypress Creek; and
• Best Presentation – Sophie Leonard, sophomore, Bridgeland High School.

Dr. Doug Killian, third from left, CFISD superintendent of schools, observes some of the student creations at the CFISD Cupcake Battle with, from left, Jennifer O’Brian, CTE curriculum coach; Mark Williams, CTE director; and Dr. Sharon Hogue, CTE coordinator.