Once a tight end for the NFL, George Wrightster soon found his sweeter side and started baking at Violet's Cakes in Pasadena, Calif. The cupcake flavors change daily and include both classic standbys like Red Velvet and Chocolate Chip as well as more unusual offerings such as Cinnamon Roll.

On this episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, the owner of Whodidily Cupcakes competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes presented at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

For Cupcake Wars veteran Bianca Blanco, making cupcakes 100% her way meant making them 100% vegan. Bianca, also a professional dancer, sells her cupcakes online with flavors as creative as her moves. Think French Toast with a touch of orange zest or La Vie en Rose made with rose water buttercream.

This Orange, Calif., bakery does the classics — and does them well. Classic Carrot, Red Velvet, Pure Strawberry and other homey flavors are made to order here completely from scratch. Dive into a standard-size cupcake or go for a mini. Either way, expect tried-and-true flavor with every bite.

On this episode of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, the owner of Zoey & Bailey’s Cupcakery and Sweet Treats competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes featured at a spectacular Match.com wedding event.

At Parties by Panache in Brea, Calif., Chef Kasia Maslanka serves up cupcakes for all types of events. The cupcake menu includes simple treats like the Plain Jane as well as complex creations like the Apple Jack — as a result, it's no surprise that Kasia soon arrived at the Cupcake Wars arena.

On this episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, the owner of Love Sugar Cupcakes competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes featured at a star-studded fundraiser.

Frost Cupcake Factory owner Andrea Parks has perfected the frosting to cupcake ratio. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the bakery prides itself on taking popular flavors and combining them with the very best ingredients to create one-of-a-kind treats, like the fruity Strawberries & Cream.

Owning and running a bakery while still in college is no small feat, but that's exactly what Casey Reinhardt did when she opened Casey's Cupcakes in Riverside, Calif. Her passion for elaborate designs and fresh ingredients made her a formidable opponent on Cupcake Wars.

At Sweet Arleen’s, former banker Arleen Scavone has finally realized her dream of running a California bakery with a huge variety of treats. In addition to offering cupcake flavors such as Carrot Walnut and Lemon Lace, Arleen also sells bread puddings with unusual flavors like Rocky Road.

This family-owned bakery prides itself on classic baking with a modern twist. With cakes and frosting made fresh daily, the extensive cupcakes menu includes Margarita, Tomato Soup and Almond Champagne flavors and includes 12 vegan varieties. Look for daily flavors online or on Facebook.

Known to fans as The Armenian Baker, Seda Ashikian brings Middle Eastern flair to her sweet cupcakes and to Cupcake Wars. Back in Los Angeles, she brings a touch of whimsy to each of her fanciful layered cakes, and her dreamy red velvet cupcakes are truly a "sweet escape" from the ordinary.

Lovely's Sinfully Sweet Creations cater to a clientele wanting full-on flavor and fun. The online bakery packed a punch with a jalapeno popper cupcake on Cupcake Wars. Back home in Temecula, Calif., they're serving margarita cupcakes and 3-D cake that "tastes so good, it must be a sin."

On this episode of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, the owner of Ava James Catering competes to win $10,000 and have her cupcakes presented at an event honoring the Major League Soccer Cup Finals.

Customers who treat themselves to Incr-Edible Cupcakes in Temecula, Calif., can mix and match flavors, frostings and fillings to design their own cupcakes. As a former competitor in the Cupcake Wars arena, owner Diana Colletti loves experimenting with specialty flavors such as Margarita Madness.