Thursday, March 27, 2025
Wantagh Middle School’s eighth-grade students put their baking and design skills to the test during the Cupcake Wars competition, the culminating event of the Ultimate Chef elective.
Held as part of the school’s Family and Consumer Sciences Department, the contest challenges students to craft cupcakes and a display based on a chosen theme. This semester’s theme focused on countries, with students selecting nations such as the United States, France, and Egypt to inspire their creations.
The competition, which takes place at the end of the semester, allows students to showcase the skills they’ve honed throughout the course, including piping, working with fondant, and collaborating as a team. Groups of two to three students designed their displays together, assigning roles such as bringing materials, making fondant, and creating designs.
“They just have to think outside the box and come up with their own ideas,” said Janine Rotondo, one of the Family and Consumer Sciences teachers. “It really was a group effort. They all did everything together, but they really designated who was bringing in what.”
The contest was judged anonymously by teachers and faculty, with winners announced on Jan. 24. The competition featured students from two classes, those taught by Rotondo and Jenna Messina. Messina, in her first year at the middle school, was impressed with the students' creativity and collaboration.
“You really get to see their creativity and their collaboration working together,” Messina said.
Beyond baking, students incorporated educational elements into their displays, learning about their selected country’s flag and geography to enhance their backdrops. Wantagh Middle School Principal Anthony Ciuffo praised the attention to detail in the students' work.
“The teachers do a really great job at bringing out the creative license in all of our students. This is an engaging activity for them,” Ciuffo said.
The Ultimate Chef elective remains one of the most popular eighth-grade courses at Wantagh Middle School. Rotondo noted that students eagerly anticipate Cupcake Wars, calling it the highlight of the semester.
“This is one of the things that students look forward to. This is the very last project of the semester, so we saved the best for last,” she said.
In addition to the excitement, students faced challenges such as time management and ensuring their cupcake designs stood out. But for many, the experience was rewarding, allowing them to craft delicious treats while having fun with their peers.
Students also learned valuable life skills throughout the semester, including knife skills, baking techniques, and how to prepare healthy and allergen-friendly foods. According to Rotondo, the hands-on approach to cooking keeps students engaged and eager to learn.
“They love to cook,” she said of the students. “If there’s a day they’re not cooking they’re so upset about it.”
This hands-on experience allows students to develop teamwork and communication skills, as they must coordinate responsibilities, plan their displays, and execute their cupcake designs efficiently. The ability to manage time effectively and work collaboratively under pressure is an essential takeaway from the event.
The Cupcake Wars competition has become a tradition at Wantagh Middle School, with past themes including board games, Disney, and movies. Each year, students rise to the challenge, displaying creativity and skill as they compete for the top spot in this highly anticipated event.
