Chester Bake Shop Ignites 'Cupcake Wars'
Chester Sweet Spot Bake Shoppe competes Sunday on Food Network's TV series.
Cheryl Burger has been lying to her customers for months.
The trip the owner of the Sweet Spot Bake Shoppe at 57 Main St. in Chester said she took to off see her grandmother back in the beginning of March?
That was the lie. She didn't go see her grandma.
The trip was to Los Angeles to film an episode of the baking competition show "Cupcake Wars," airing this Sunday at 8 p.m. on the Food Network.
"It's been almost six months," the Long Valley resident said. "Our customers will remember when we had to close for a few days."
Keeping the secret, as she was obligated to legally by the show was not easy.
"It was very hard," Burger said. "I wanted to tell people but I couldn't. It was the hardest when people would ask me how my trip was and how my grandma was. But now that I explained it they understand."
The entire process from audition to premiere has been a bit of blur for Burger, who never thought she would be on the popular baking series.
“I did not want to do it,” Burger said. “But the girls here always pushed and pushed and the customers always pushed. I think they caught me in a weak moment.”
The application process included photos, a phone interview and a youtube video and before she knew it, Burger (the baker) and Stacie Filipow (the decorator) were in Los Angeles for the competition.
According to Burger, the competitors all stay at the hotel, but never meet.
“They don’t introduce you,” Burger said. “You are brought in and sent to separate dressing rooms and kept apart.”
During the filming of the show, Burger said there is so much to focus on you don’t have to time to do anything but work on the task at hand.
“The whole show itself is shot in one day and it is shot just like you see on TV in real time,” Burger said. “When there is 20 minutes on the clock there are 20 minutes on the clock.”
Three Rounds
Round One: One Cupcake
“In the first round you have to create a cupcake using three ingredients out of a list of about eight,” Burger said. “You can decorate if you want, but you are not judged by that. You are solely judged on taste.”
Round 2: Three Cupcakes
“In this round you get to do three cupcakes all of your choosing,” Burger said. “And you are judged 50/50 on taste and decoration.”
Round 3: The Big Display
“This is the round where you have to use all of your cupcakes, all four,” Burger said. “And you use them to build a large display.”
While Burger cannot discuss the details of the competition until the show airs on Sunday (look for our follow up stories here heading into next week) she did say the competition was steep.
“I’ve always loved baking but did it as a hobby before opening my business,” Burger said. “I think everyone else on the other team had a trained pastry chef.”
Teams were competing to provide the cupcakes for former Hills reality star Kristin Cavallari and Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler’s baby shower.
“I can say that,” Burger said.
Regardless of the outcome, customers can expect to see specials and on the cupcakes featured on the show.
“Customers may already have eaten them,” Burger said. “I can say that some of them and parts of some of them, are already here now.”
Tune in Sunday to find out more and leave good luck wishes in our comments below!
craig fredrickson
7:16 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
GoodLuck ladies! YummY!
Narrin
8:43 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Good Luck Cheryl !!!!!!!!! Narrin
DV2009
9:06 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Strangely hostile comments! I say good for her!!
Claire
9:06 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Good Luck Girls! We love your cupcakes. It's great to see a small shop doing so well in Downtown Chester.
minnie mouse
9:22 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
omg...there must be pot in the brownies as well...and there are probably more calories in those cupcakes than one wants to admit!Sounds like someone was upset when they went there for their cupcake"fix" and the place was CLOSED.... Get A grip...I think it was a harmless "lie". I doubt they will have to close shop for that one! Congratulations ladies!
cv
9:28 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Why does everyone hate this woman? am I missing something?
Russ Crespolini
9:34 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
CV, after spending time with her and her family for the interview I can tell you not everyone hates her. Nice woman, nice store and it was a joy to get away from the political infighting and tragedy stories to tell a fun feature.
Why there is negativity being posted I can't figure out.
Oh, and the my daughter loved the cupcake pops.
Russ Crespolini
9:31 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Folks: Putting aside my personal disappointment with the negativity being posted on a story about a successful local business being featured on a television show, I am going to caution you all to play nice in the comment stream. No insults or name calling.
And I can't believe I am putting this reminder up on a cupcake story...
cv
9:35 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
There is so much hate here today why? I am sure she signed confidentiality agreements and couldnt speak about it. Cant we be happy that our area was put on the map in a positive way for a change instead of drugs and drunk driving.
Bette Knight
9:35 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
So awesome Cheryl and Stacie. What a boost for your business! And a great way to weed out customers.
Cindy Rhodes
10:09 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congratulations, Cheryl and Stacie! I can't wait to see the show. How wonderful that you will receive the recognition you deserve! Your cupcakes are fantastic and it's high time the rest of the country finds out.
einaphets
10:10 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Way to go Cheryl! Love the bakery and your cupcakes! Good job for getting some recognition for all your hard work! Barbara, you should step away from your computer and go to the shop to buy a cupcake. It will make you feel happier!
Coralie
10:17 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Great, Great Job getting on a show like that. Will have to watch or record the show to see you! Love your cupcakes. Will be stopping by again for more of your treats.
Barbara Filipow
10:20 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
A Sweet Spot Bake Shoppe Mom
I am sooooo proud of these girls and the way they have handled themselves over the
past 6 months with cupcake wars. The town of Chester should also be proud! And I am sure after your article Russ, the shop will have MANY other Barbaras as customers! Good Luck My Stars!!!
lvresident
10:24 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
It is very upsetting that people are so angry about the Cupcake Wars as we should be so excited that an opportunity like this was made possible for the local bake shop. May I ask those of you who are so quick to judge and criticize, what would you have done if you signed a legal contract? Make up a reason for the store closing or tell the truth and break the legal contract which she could have been sued over? I am very excited for the shop, the employees and the town of Chester. Looking forward to watching on Sunday and going into the store to eat the cupcakes.
LV Resident
10:25 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
I've never had one of your cupcakes, but will definitely make it a point to stop in and try some! Win or lose, a big CONGRATULATIONS to you. :-) You should be very proud to have gotten on the show.
And I hope the owner(s) ignore the negative comments here.
lvresident
10:33 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
So proud of the girls!!!! Congratulations !!!!!
schooley squatch
10:39 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Barbara: Get over yourself, who are you to judge someone you never met or supported. It's one thing if you were negativley impacted by this event but obviously since you never set foot in the store it should not matter to you. What I find interesting is that all of their loyal customers are happy for them rather than upset.
Suzanne
10:49 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
LOVE the Sweet Spot and am so thrilled for all to be gaining this national recognition. Congratulations. A little white lie won't deter us from buying those fabulous cupcakes!
Leona Harrington
10:55 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congratulations ladies!! We love you, and your shop, and your booth at the Long Valley Green Market!! Looking forward to when you're able to come back:)
LVMOMLIP
11:02 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Be sure to try a cupcake truffle too.....oh boy .....YUMMY.
tim bloomfield
11:49 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
I could not be prouder of these two women. Your cupcakes are phenominal and ur staff are all one of a kind. Congratulations to the Sweet Spot. Cant wait to watch on sunday!
grace stampf
11:53 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congrats ladies!! Great shop! Yummiest cupcakes! Chester & Long Valley should be proud! Oh, and you can't beat their hospitality when you visit their store! :)
einaphets
12:10 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
It's a shame that this forum is a place where we can no longer celebrate the accomplishments of the members of our community. My family recently had a similar experience on this site. It makes LV and the surrounding communities look like very unwelcoming places.
Russ Crespolini
1:03 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
I am sorry you guys had a bad experience here, but I am happy you continue to read the site. It is appreciated.
12345678
12:46 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congratulations! Can't wait to visit the Sweet Spot!
Barbara and Linda, Really?!?! Get lives ladies!
minnie mouse
3:53 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Linda must have been deleted....probably baking her own cupcakes!
Indoor Outdoor
1:11 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congratulations to you both! You followed a dream when you opened your business, and now you are getting the recognition that you deserve. For anyone who has not been to the shop, make it a point to go. Absolutely delicious!
Jersey
3:40 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congrats to the Sweet Spot!! Their cupcakes are awesome, I've used them for entertaining many times and the crowd always raves.
I'm not even taking Barbara's comments seriously as they read like the ramblings of a crazy person. To clarify in advance, I'm not calling you crazy, Barbara. I'm just saying that you sound crazy.
Can't wait to see the show!!!
jersey4ever
3:48 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Awesome!!! Hopefully the publicity will get tons of people to town to try an amazing cupcake and do a little shopping as long as they are in town!! It's good for everyone!
KFlip70
4:43 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Linda & Barbara: Is this really a way to present yourselves as adults? What these two have done was probably a dream for both of them, to take the next step at something they love to do. It sounds like you both strive on attacking people while they are put in a spotlight that they have been working for. Is this a sign of bitter jealousy? Also, from what i understand, this isnt the first time you are verbally trying to tarnish someone's or a companies image with your own "lies". My advise to you both is grow up, act like MATURE adults, and just be happy that two locals are achieving a goal at which they have been working for. Congratulations ladies! Keep up the good work! With the exception of two sour and grumpy people, you have made A LOT of people proud!
Sue
4:59 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congratulations ladies! I have not yet had the chance to sample your products but will try to remedy that tomorrow! I am proud that these local entrepreneurs have been recognized in such a national venue. Good luck with your future endeavors and ignore the sour pusses.
Now where were those stones??
Carolyn Hanington
6:20 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Congratulations ladies...we here (with good taste) in Long Valley love the Sweet Spot and not just for the amazing cupcakes...best Oatmeal Cookies I have ever tasted!!!
cv
9:29 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
I cannot wait to try this place . I saw you at the LV green Market and I didnt get one because I need to lose a few ok more like 10 ha ha
marc graziano
9:58 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
congratulations girls !!!We need more young men and women to follow there dreams like these 2 young "cupcakers"....Locals should be proud and supportive that a couple of our own have received national recognition .....Stay focused girls and continue to work hard ....You have made alot of people smile with this feel good story!!
Theresa
9:10 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You girls were great and we knew you were going to win!!!!!!!!!!!
Theresa and Gena Pellechio :)
Indoor Outdoor
12:25 pm on Monday, August 13, 2012
Huge congratulations on winning Cupcake Wars. So exciting for you and a credit to all of your hard work which made this possible. Will be in to try your winning recipes!