WINNER!: Andrea Ballus
It was not until Andrea expressed a desire for cupcakes at her wedding that she realized it simply wasn't an option, at least not in Napa. With determination and spatula in hand, Andrea decided to open up her own shop, Sift Cupcake & Dessert Bar. Within two short years, Andrea's cupcake kingdom has grown to include three cupcakeries and 22 employees in the wine country. Speaking of wine country, what better to pair great wine with than bold, innovative cupcakes? Some of Andrea's standouts are "Chocolatease," "Irish Car Bomb" and "Knock Your Sox Off."
Sift Cupcakery
404 Mendocino Ave., Suite A
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Try Andrea's winning recipe:
Raspberry Cupcake with Champagne Butter Cream Frosting
Andrea's other recipes:
Gingerbread Cupcake with Zinfandel Butter Cream Frosting
Jean Bates
Even though Jean graduated with an MBA, it's cupcakes that she's decided to master. Don't be fooled by her goofy sense of humor because when it comes to cupcakes, she's all business. Located in Tallahassee, Fla., Lucy and Leo's Cupcakes actually takes its name from two VIP's (Very Important Pooches: Lucy and Leo, Jean and her partner, Paula's, two dogs). Jean's competitive personality takes her around the country, checking out the competition. Of all the cupcakes in the land, Jean still insists that hers are the best she's sampled.
Assistant: Paula Lucas
Lucy & Leo's Cupcakery
1123 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Melissa Hanna
They say that opposites attract, but Melissa believes they also make great business partners. Melissa and Laurel met in college and immediately bonded over a shared love of baking and event planning. In 2009, they joined forces to start Little Spoon Desserts, an online dessert catering company. Success has come quickly for Little Spoon Desserts, garnering a feature in the LA Times and LA Weekly within one week of setting up shop. Customer service is the top priority for these ladies, and it's not an uncommon practice to collaborate on customized cupcakes for their clients.
Assistant: Laurel Tincher
Little Spoon Desserts
Los Angeles, CA
Sheila Heninger
The first thing you'll notice about Sheila's cupcakes is that every one of them is adorned with a signature bow. The next thing you'll notice is that everything in Frosting, Ink is as cute as can be. The self-described "Cupcake Queen" of Bakersfield, Calif., has been baking for 12 years; six years ago she decided to open Frosting, Ink. Baking with her daughter, Alexis, has its challenges, but this adorable mother-and-daughter duo is has its eyes on the prize. Don't be fooled by the frills; these ladies are a couple of tough cookies.
Assistant: Alexis Heninger
Frosting, Ink
1818 G St.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
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