DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - Three of the competitors in a new Mackenzie Days competition all have one thing in common: they enjoy watching baking shows.

Cake Boss, Ultimate Cake Off and DC Cupcakes are all on the must-watch list for Shauna Clarke Canadien, Kari Hergott and Mel Rasmussen. These three women, along with Shawna McLeod, were the first competitors in the inaugural ultimate cake-off on July 30.

Shauna Clarke Canadien, left, Kari Hergott and Mel Rasmussen stand behind the cakes they entered into the ultimate cake-off, a new Mackenzie Days event. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Taking its name from one of the television shows, the competition challenged residents to bake and decorate the most creative cakes possible using the theme for this year's parade: nursery rhymes and fairy tales. The result was five unique cakes.

As soon as Clarke Canadien heard about the competition, she remembered a cake that she made with her sister when she was 12. The re-created delicacy included a large red ladybug complete with spots, legs and antennas sitting on a green base.

The secret is to bake some of the batter in a Pyrex mixing bowl in order to get the ladybug's rounded body, Clarke Canadien said. She linked the cake to the nursery rhyme Lady Bug, Lady Bug.

"I wanted something easy that looked good," she said.

And her favourite baking show?

"Ultimate Cake Off," Clarke Canadien said.

Mel Rasmussen's two entries were less for the competition and more for her daughter. As part of the Mackenzie Days tween competition Delaney Vandell had to bring cupcakes to the event for the audience to eat.

Instead of cupcakes Rasmussen decorated two cakes with mini cupcakes and suckers to support Vandell. Both Rasmussen and her daughter enjoy watching Cake Boss and DC Cupcakes.

Inspired by the shows, Rasmussen said her daughter wants to make fondant and to try piping icing. If the contest is run again next year the pair plan to enter.

"We'll have to think outside of the box," Rasmussen said.

For Kari Hergott, entering the contest was her attempt at being a baker, a title she's never given herself before.

Hergott did an Internet search for princess cakes and combined some of the entries to create her cake.

The result was a princess castle complete with six towers and a circular keep. After baking the necessary cakes, it took Hergott two and a half hours to assemble and decorate her creation with white and pink icing and sprinkles.

"I love Food Network and Cake Boss and Ultimate Cake Off," she said.

Hergott, who is also a member of the Mackenzie Days Committee, said she was pleased with the response to the contest.

More people had planned to enter, but the recent heat wave probably made them reconsider turning on their ovens, she said.

The fifth entry was by Shawna McLeod, who surrounded a blonde doll with an edible cake dress decorated with blue icing.

Instead of choosing a winner, each contestant received a gift basket filled with baking accessories.

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