On Monday, August 1, one of Hicksville’s own will appear on an episode of Food Network’s Cake Wars. Jean Schapowal, cake artist extraordinaire, will be one of the four bakers who will create action-packed cakes to celebrate the video game “Halo”. “Halo” is one of the biggest video games in the world, so get ready for the biggest battle that the gaming world has ever seen!
Guest judge Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, Microsoft’s director of programming, will join host Jonathan Bennett to judge the spectacular works of art that are created out of cake and sugar. Judges Ron Ben-Israel and Waylynn Lucas will also be on hand to help decide which cake creation will “blast off to the Halo World Championship.” The winner of Cake Wars will also take home a prize of $10,000.
For those of you who are familiar with Jean Schapowal’s work through her business, “Cakes with Character,” she is a marvel with fondant and chocolate. She’s participated in cake competitions throughout the country, and has also been a part of at least one cake collaboration a year. Her most successful collaboration to date is the ongoing Simpsononymous, which is helping to raise cancer awareness. The collaboration, which was started in honor of Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons who passed away from colon cancer, was nominated for a Cake Master’s Award in 2015 for the best collaboration. The collaboration featured cake artists worldwide who participated in the unique mashup of art forms and Simpson characters. For the record, a Cake Master’s Award in the baking world is equivalent to winning an Oscar! The collaboration continues to offer support to those diagnosed with cancer. The website, Simpsononymous.com, continues to post the latest advances in treatments, as well as support groups, hospital and treatment centers available. Hicksville’s own Michael Magro Foundation appears on the website as well.
Up next for Jean will be a secret project to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek. Jean presently has a piece out in Las Vegas that will be shown at the Star Trek Casino in August to help celebrate the anniversary. Pictures will be posted shortly on her website. As a Star Trek fan, I’m looking forward to seeing those photos and the magnificent work that Jean produces with cake and fondant! The “big reveal” will be sometime in August, so be on the lookout for some great displays!
Tune in to see how Jean does on Monday, August 1 at 9 pm. Food Network can be found on Channel 66 on Cablevision, and on FIOS Channel 164. You can also watch the Halo Cake Wars Competition in high-definition on FIOS Channel 664, or on Cablevision Channel 766. Let’s give our hometown celebrity a big round of applause for a job well done!
To see Jean’s wonderful cake creations, please visit her Facebook page, “Cakes with Character,” a recognized business by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce. If you need a cake for a special occasion with a whole lotta flare and an amazing taste, visit www.cakeswithcharacterbyjean.com. Her cakes can be made peanut, tree nut and gluten free, for those with food allergies.
Good luck and all the best, Jean!
