Welcome, cookie competitors! I'm thrilled that you're interested in entering the third virtual edition of Julia M. Usher's Cookie Art Competition™. I'm a firm believer that competing allows everyone to learn and grow - plus, thanks to our amazingly generous sponsors, we've got over $25,500 USD in prizes (over $9,200 of which is cash!) to award this year. The awarding of first-, second-, and third-place prizes is always at the judges' discretion but we do expect to recognize winners in these four categories/skill level classifications:
- 2-D Cookie - Beginner/Intermediate,
- 2-D Cookie - Advanced/Master,
- 3-D Cookie - Beginner/Intermediate, and
- 3-D Cookie - Advanced/Master.
Also, since the competition is online again this year, it's open to anyone 13 years of age or older anywhere in the world. How wonderful is that?!
You've reached the place to register to enter either or both cookie categories (2-D or 3-D). But what exactly does that mean? Registering is required to convey your intent to compete. Though you can register anytime between now (March 30, 5 pm Central Daylight Time/CDT) and the entry submission deadline (June 30, 5 pm CDT), I urge you to do so now (early) to help with our planning and scheduling of the competition judging. Registration requires payment of a non-refundable $15 USD entry fee (per entry) to cover competition administrative costs.
(What is 5 pm CDT in your part of the world? Use this time zone converter.)
BEFORE YOU REGISTER: Be sure you've read the category definitions, skill level classifications, description of the theme (Your Eras Tour), and submission requirements for the category or categories you're interested in entering. It is your responsibility to make sure you're entering the right category with the right skill level classification; we will not recategorize entries if they are miscategorized. All of this information, along with a general competition timetable, can be found here:
SKILL LEVEL CLASSIFICATIONS: In case you need a reminder, the definitions of our skill level classifications follow.
Beginner/Intermediate: Sugar artists with less than five (5) years of cookie decorating experience who are developing their skills. Also includes anyone who does not fit the “Advanced/Master” description below. Can include either hobbyists or those who work professionally in cookie decorating, as long as the individual is not a cookie decorating instructor.
Advanced/Master: Sugar artists with five (5) or more years of cookie decorating experience and/or those recognized as having advanced cookie decorating skills or mastery of cookie decorating techniques. Also includes all cookie decorating instructors and anyone who has won any prize in any cookie competition in the past. Can include either hobbyists or those who work professionally in cookie decorating.
When registering, you will select the category (or categories) and skill level classification that best apply to you. Please note that you can only have one skill level classification for all of your entries, whether they be 2-D or 3-D cookies, or both. In other words, if "Beginner/Intermediate" best describes you, then you must select this same skill level classification for both 2-D and 3-D cookie entries.
TO REGISTER:
- Read to the end of this page for all key registration FAQs.
- To start the registration process, click on the orange "Select tickets" button on this Eventbrite page.
- Select the proper cookie category or categories (2-D or 3-D, or both) and skill level classification (again, it must be the same for both categories); then select the number of entries you plan to submit in each category.
- Follow the prompts here on Eventbrite to submit your registration fee (again, non-refundable $15 USD per entry).
- Important: Record the exact name, email address, and phone number you used to register here. (And double-check that there are no typos in your email address.) You will need to use the exact same information when you later submit your entry form(s) and supporting materials on Cookie Connection.
- Once your payment is received, you will automatically get an email from me, Julia M. Usher (sweetlife@juliausher.com), via Eventbrite with payment confirmation and a private link to the competition's online event page. This page will contain links to my site Cookie Connection where you will eventually fill out your entry form(s) and upload your supporting materials (submission deadline: June 30, 2024, 5 pm CDT). Do not share these links; they are for paid registrants only. And save your confirmation email and links. You will need them later when you are ready to submit your entry or entries.
- If you don't think you received this confirmation email, please search your junk box. Eventbrite has never failed to send a confirmation email in my long experience with the platform. Though if you entered your email address incorrectly, that's another story! (So, again, check your email address before submitting this form.)
- If you decide later that you want to submit more entries, simply return to this page and repeat the above process.
KEY REGISTRATION FAQ:
- As noted above, you can enter as often as you like, in each category. However, each entry must be completely distinct and adhere to all other entry requirements or it won't be judged.
- If entering multiple categories (i.e., 2-D and 3-D), you must use the same skill level classfication for all entries.
- A non-refundable $15 USD fee is required per entry.
- Again, it's critical that the name, email address, and phone number you use here to register are the same ones you later use to complete your entry form(s) at the time of entry submission. If you use different ones, we will not be able to verify that you paid, and your entry or entries will not be judged.
- If you misplace your confirmation email with the link to the online event page, no worries. Simply return to the main registration page and look for the "Access link" link under "Location" to the left of the page. If you've registered and paid, you will be taken to the online event page when you click on the link.
- Important: Remember, it's not whether you win or lose. My competition is all about expanding your skills and stretching as a cookie artist. Relax and have some fun too!
COMPETITION TIMETABLE:
- March 30 (5 pm CDT): Registration opens (here on Eventbrite).
- March 30 - June 30: Competitors prepare entries.
- June 30 (5 pm CDT): Registration closes and all entry forms and supporting materials are due. (Again, links to entry forms can be found on the online event page. A link to this page will be automatically emailed to you as soon as Eventbrite has processed your registration form/payment.)
- July 1: Judging begins.
- July 15 (subject to change): Finalists announced!
- July 30 (subject to change): Winners announced!
If you have any questions, please first check these links, as I've tried to answer every conceivable question in them:
But, if something is missing or unclear, please don't hesitate to email me at any time, sweetlife@juliausher.com. Please also allow 24 to 48 hours for a response.
Best of luck, have fun, and live sweetly! ~ Julia
