Areli Laura Galvez is a culinary student who recently won a cake decorating competition, showcasing the skills and confidence she developed over three years in the program.
Question: Can you describe your experience in the culinary program?
A: I’ve been in the culinary program for around three years. I joined during my sophomore year and have spent that time developing my baking and decorating skills through class projects and hands-on learning.
Q: Was this your first competition, and how did it feel?
A: Yes, it was my first competition. It was a little stressful because we only had about two months to prepare, and I didn’t know how to frost a cake. We practiced on a Styrofoam cake instead of a real one, which made it harder because it didn’t have any weight. That was one of the hardest parts.
Q: How did you prepare for the competition?
A: I prepared both in and out of class. I took a cake decorating class outside of school and practiced at home. I learned that holding the spatula at the right angle is really important so the frosting doesn’t streak. Also, keeping a small spatula slightly wet helps the frosting go on smoother.
Q: What inspired you to join the culinary program?
A: Honestly, I just did it for fun at first, but I ended up really enjoying it.
Q: What was the theme of your cake, and what inspired your design?
A: The theme was video or board games, and I chose Mario. I was inspired by Mario Party and tried to match my cake to that theme while including elements from other Mario games. The cake was a pastel red color.
Q: How did you feel when you found out you won?
A: I was honestly surprised when I found out I won. I felt really happy and proud of my hard work.
Q: What skills helped you succeed in the competition?
A: Being organized and having good time management were really important. I didn’t realize how important those were at first, but they helped me prepare better and stay focused.
Q: What did you learn from your first competition experience?
A: I learned about the environment and rules of competitions. It was a little different from what I expected, but it helped me feel more prepared for future competitions.
Q: Who supported you during this experience?
A: My friends and my mom supported me the most. They encouraged me, cheered me on, and helped me stay motivated.
Q: Do you plan to continue baking or pursue culinary as a career?
A: I do enjoy culinary, and I hope to pursue it as a career. Even if I don’t, I’ll still continue baking and selling treats on my own time.