Lexington County library puts on its own ‘Cupcake Wars’

In “Cupcake Wars,” there are really never any losers. Even the contestants who don’t win the big prize on the Food Network get to sample delicious cupcakes.

And at the Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library Thursday, while someone will be judged the winner of its “Cupcake Wars,” all the teens participating are bound to have a good time.

Can you really not have a good time with cupcakes?

The Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library is having “Cupcake Wars” for kids in grades 6-12 beginning at 5 p.m. Contestants will be tasked with decorating cupcakes inspired or related to a chosen book or movie.

“The cupcakes will be provided and so will the decorations,” said Kelsey Arender, youth services library assistant at

Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library. “Their job is to decorate the cupcakes according to the themes that will be revealed the day of (the contest).

“It will be similar to the show in that the cupcakes will be judged on appearance, there are specific themes for the two rounds, and there may be a twist each round.”

The twists, of course, are closely guarded secrets.

The teen competition at Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library is inspired by the Food Network television show, “Cupcake Wars.” In each episode, four bakers compete for a $10,000 prize in a cupcake-baking competition. The show consists of three rounds, with one contestant eliminated after each round. In the TV show, contestants are judged on taste and decoration and in the final round, they are tasked with making 1,000 cupcakes in two hours.

While inspired by the show, Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library version will vary a bit from the Food Network script.

It’s more about the participation.

“This program is important because it allows teens to think creatively with a skill they may not use very often,” Arender said. “A teen may come to the program, having never iced a cake before, and find out they love cake decorating. Programs (like this) allow teens to try new things, allow teens to find new things to love.”

New cupcakes to love?

Teens should register Thursday prior to arriving. Call (803) 794-6791.

Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library is at 1500 Augusta Road in West Columbia.