Cupcake Wars: A Sweet Celebration of Creativity and Giving Back

What an unforgettable evening at the Waldner’s x Steelcase 2nd Annual Cupcake Wars- Holiday Edition! The Steelcase Showroom was buzzing with creativity, holiday cheer, and friendly competition as A&D teams came together to showcase their cupcake decorating skills.

Guests kicked off the evening with specialty cocktails, delicious appetizers, and vibrant networking, setting the perfect tone for the festivities. When the competition began, the energy soared! Teams had just one hour to transform simple cupcakes into stunning holiday-themed masterpieces, relying on imagination, skill, and a dash of competitive flair. The night wrapped up with more mingling as the judges made their final decisions, followed by the much-anticipated awards announcement.

But this year’s event wasn’t just about frosting and fondant; it was about making a difference. The winning team won the 2025 Cupcake Wars Trophy and had the honor of selecting a charity to receive a $2,000 donation. In addition, every participating team’s chosen charity received $200. It was a night where creativity met community, and together, we made something truly sweet happen!

We were blown away by the creativity and effort from all participating teams:

• TPG Architecture of NYC & Long Island
• Spector Group
• Gensler
• Ware Malcolmb
• Mancini Duffy
• HLW

AND special thanks to our judges:

• Olga Rosen of Cakes by Olga
• Tatiana Kovalenko of Personal Touch Catering
• Emily Solomos, winner of Food Network’s Halloween Cookie Challenge

Competition was featured five exciting categories:

Name: Climate Change

“Super creative design and execution featuring all four seasons with a thoughtful handmade BYO prop.”
– comments from the judges

Name: Yeti Ugly Sweater Party

“Clever and unique play on the ugly sweater idea using rotating yeti heads!”
– comments from the judges

Name: Party Animals

“Rotating pink disco ball tower with lights so you could see every adorable animal design.”
– comments from the judges

Name: Nostalgic Christmas

“Classic Christmas designs such as the snow globe, Christmas wreath and 3D tree.”
– comments from the judges

Name: Steelcase Express

“Use of music and the double layering of the cupcake designs plus the use of the Steelcase toy truck.”
– comments from the judges

Name: Christmas Spirit

“Clean & crisp lines, very detailed fondant, and buttercream work.”
– comments from the judges

Thank you to everyone who participated, judged, and supported this year’s Cupcake Wars. We can’t wait to see what sweet surprises next year brings!