Guilty Foodie Pleasure Cupcake Wars

There;s something primal and infinitely satisfying about people battling each other.It has hit the arts, hence the Oscars, Emmys and Tonys. It' s entered the fashion world thus creating drama in "Project Runway" Competition has been in the culinary arts ever since the first bake off our country fair pie baking contest. One of the best food fights is "Cupcake Wars." The Food network classic combines reality TV with some serious baking and snarling. Cupcake Wars is a guilty pleasure usually enjoyed in its' second or third showing on Saturdays and Sundays. It's kind of like Project Runway (and no wonder - Heidi Klum's company Magical Elves produces the show) with frosting and aprons. Four cupcake specialists who have their own commercial or home businesses compete in two rounds. the firs t is the elimination round where it narrows it down to three. the second is the them round where the remaining baker shave to create cupcakes for the remaining event. The last and winning round deals with the final two bakers creating themed displays for their cakes that will tie in with whatever benefit or event that the cupcakes will be showcased at. There are two regular judges and renowned pastry chefs, the French Florian Bellanger and American Candace Nelson along with a weekly rotating guest judge. The host. Just Willman. provides the suspense as he gleefully tells contestants the minutes they have left. It is fun (and possibly a little mean ) watching seasoned bakers as well as some teen whizzes creating interesting creations and toppings. The most interesting is when they start catting about each other. There are some designer worthy gripes and snipes flying about. Everything form frostings to final displays are ripped apart. Snark and spark get whipped into a gladiator type battle that has usually sedate bakers turning into kitchen warriors. What is truly amazing is the the last battle where the two final contestants have to bake one thousand cupcakes. these will be served at the chosen event . A more interesting question is where does the losers brigade of sweets wind up? Hopefully at some soup kitchen as a lovely treat. If you want to sink your teeth in a thoroughly guilty pleasure then try "Cupcake Wars" on the Food Channel .it's has competition, tears and fangs. Oh yeah, it also has yummy cupcakes too.