Know more about our official

Judges & CFM Ambassadors
Our judges

We bring you the TOP Cake Decorating Artists from around the world!

These cake idols are well respected around the world in their chosen field. We have invited the best of the best to judge the Cake Display Competition entries  and they are all excited to see your amazing entries.

We have a number of Categories to choose from so make sure to register now, take the challenge and showcase your talent to the world!

Best of the Best

Meet our International Judges

Liz Marek
South Africa

ot Klerck is an International multi award winning cake artist, she honed her skills in art school, but taught herself the basics (and more!) of cake decoration. She lives in Wellington in the wine region of the Cape, South Africa and is married to Tobie, together they have 4 children. ​ Each year Dot is invited to teach at International Sugar Shows and Sugar Schools all around the world. She has traveled to more than 30 different countries teaching her unique skills in sculpture and design and continues to create her sugar sculptures in between teaching.

Liz Marek
Italy

Kristina is a Member of Team Excellencies of FIPGC Federazione Internazionale Pasticceria Gelateria Cioccolateria, a member of the board of directors, in charge of the organization of the World Championship of Cake Designers of FIPGC in Italy. She is the Head Judge for our FIPGC Asian Countries Qualifying Competition and will ensure that everything will be up to the FIPGC standard 🏆

She will also be a part of the judging panel for the CFM Display Cake Competition as well as the Cake Wars. ❤️

Rosie Dummer
United Kingdom

Multi award-winning Cake Artist, Rosie Dummer, AKA Rosie Cake Diva, is currently starring in Channel 4’s Extreme Cake Makers. She has been featured in numerous magazines and was the winner of the Cake Masters Wedding Cake of the Year Award in 2012.

She has since gone on to present the Cake Masters Magazine Awards at the star-studded event held at the NEC Birmingham for the past four years.

Now a regular on TV and Radio, Rosie presents on BBC Radio Lancashire, has presented her own TV show on The Craft Channel and works closely with the UK’s major trade shows including Cake International and The Cake and Bake Show.

Zoe Hopkinson
United Kingdom
He has been the Head Judge for Cake International at NEC Birmingham in the UK, since 2019, overseeing up to 1,800 exhibits. In 2023, he was selected as a judge for the FIPGC Cake Designers World Championship Grand Jury. 🏆

With an illustrious career spanning over 2 decades, David has garnered unparalleled respect and admiration for his extraordinary contributions and unwavering dedication to our industry. His expertise and keen eye for excellence have set new benchmarks, inspiring countless individuals and shaping the future of sugarcraft. 🌏

We are truly honored to have David join us as one of our distinguished judges for all the competitions at Cake Fiesta Manila and FIPGC Asian Qualifying competition. His discerning judgment, profound knowledge, and unwavering commitment to excellence will undoubtedly elevate the standards of this competition and inspire all participants to strive for greatness.🥇🥈🥉

David has served as Head Judge or Judge for numerous international sugarcraft events, including:
• Cake International Birmingham shows (2019 to present, including online events)
• Head Judge, Fashion Cakes Flash Mob, February 2021 (Russia)
• Head Judge, India Home Bakers, 2021
• Head Judge, Sri Lanka, 2021 & 2023
• Judge, FIPGC Cake Designers World Championship Grand Jury, 2023
• Special Guest, Turin Biennale Interbazionle Sugar Art, Torino, November 2023
• Judge, IFEX Belfast, March 2024
• Judge, HRC International Salon Culinaire, London, March 2024
• Head Judge, DMA Awards, 2024
• Head Judge, Incredible India Artistic Excellence Online Competition, April 2024
• Head Judge, Cake Artist World Online Competition, April 2024 (Russia)
• Judge, Cake & Dream 24, Rome, 19-22 September 2024
• Special Guest, Puglia Cake Festival, 12-13 October 2024
• Head Judge, Cake International & Bake International 30th Birthday, 1st November 2024
Future Events:
• Head Judge, India Home Bakers Online Competition, December 2024
Zoe’s passion is teaching and through her YouTube channel; Zoe’s Fancy Cakes she manages to break down the most complicated of cake designs into easy to follow step by step tutorials. Her videos are great for beginners, intermediates and professionals alike. As well as teaching online Zoe also travels the world showcasing her skills and passing on her knowledge through face to face classes.
Zoe has won several gold awards at Cake International and has been featured in a number of Cake publications around the world offering advice / hints and tips to readers.
Karen Portaleo
United Kingdom

Alan Dun is a world-renowned artist in sugar flower making and cake decorating. Since beginning his journey in the 1980s, Alan has become a prominent figure in the Sugarcraft community, renowned for his innovative techniques using sugar and cold porcelain. As a respected author and tutor, he has inspired countless students through his workshops, online classes, and judging roles at prestigious events like Celcakes, Squires Kitchen, and Cake International.

In 2022, Alan was part of the distinguished team commissioned by McVitie’s to create a spectacular floral cake for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. His dedication and passion for the craft continue to enchant and inspire cake decorators and sugar artists around the globe, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the world of Sugarcraft.

Opal Lipakorn
United States

From Disney’s Foodtastic Judge on TV, we are thrilled to announce that the incredible Chef Benny M Rivera will be joining the prestigious judging panel of Cake Fiesta Manila! 🌟

Chef Benny Rivera’s journey began in Puerto Rico, where he discovered his natural talent for cake decorating as a teenager. After moving to New York City in 1996, he pivoted from a career in financial research to pursue his passion for cakes, honing his skills at the French Culinary Institute and The Institute of Culinary Education.

Chef Benny has graced our screens on TLC’s Fabulous Cakes and Secret Wedding, as well as on popular shows like The Food Network Challenge, Sugar Dome, Halloween Wars, Macy’s Cake Spectacular Show, The Rachel Ray Show, and Que Noche. His breathtaking cake designs have wowed celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Bethenny Frankel, Fergie, James Franco, Kevin Bacon, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Mike Myers, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

With accolades from Brides Magazine, The Knot Magazine, New York Magazine, Traveler’s Magazine, American Cake Decorator, and Cake Masters Magazine, Chef Benny Rivera is widely recognized as one of the top cake artists in North America and internationally. His impressive awards include the “Cake Artist of the Year” from The Golden Tier Awards and the American Cake Decorators magazine, and one of the top 10 cake artists from the USA by Cake Masters Magazine and ACA.

Currently, Chef Benny can be seen as a guest judge on HBO Max’s Caketopia and as a permanent Technical Food Art Expert judge on Disney’s Foodtastic Series.

Don’t miss the chance to witness the magic of Chef Benny Rivera in action at Cake Fiesta Manila! 🎂✨

Penk Ching
Philippines

She started baking while in high school but only discovered her immense talent after she retreated from the corporate world. Bored from retirement, Penk started baking cakes for her friends, often giving it away as gifts. Word-of-mouth became her best form of marketing and soon after, she was among the most-sought cake makers.

Penk has been crafting masterpieces since 1986. And whether it was a wedding or a huge birthday party, a Penk Ching cake became a staple in A-list celebrations.

In the elite circles, the name Penk has become synonymous to grandeur and perfection. She’s been hired to do cakes for those in power, and for events that mark history.

Among her works was the breathtaking bird’s nest gum paste and fruitcake in the Beijing 2008 Olympics. After making it, the world took notice of the “Filipino” who intricately crafted such a hard project.

She also created President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s inaugural cake, lovingly crafted UST’s 400th anniversary cake, and made a detailed Cirque de Soleil cake.

Among her celebrity clientele includes Sharon Cuneta; Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos, and Dato and Kakai Arroyo.

 

Penk Ching is also one of the Founders of Cake Fiesta Manila.

Dorothy Klerck
Australia

Monica Cavallaro of moreish.cakes who will be coming all the way from Australia ❤️ 🇦🇺🐨

Monica is a Sydney-based pastry aficionado and cake designer who has taken the international baking and caking scene by storm. With a mischievous personality and a knack for creating delectable treats, Monica has become a beloved figure in the world of cake.

Her creative genius shines through in her internationally popular More Range. As the brains behind this sassy collection, she has brought a new level of excitement to the world of pastry. With each creation, Monica adds her unique touch of sass, mischief, making her treats truly one-of-a-kind.


Her talent has earned her several prestigious opportunities. Commissions for cakes from Gracelands for TV, as a guest chef on Adam Liaw’s The Cook Up, Monica showcased her skills on the national stage in 2021. She also gained recognition as the wedding cake maker for the hit show Married At First Sight from 2016 to 2021. Additionally, she delighted audiences with her cakes on Zumbo’s Just Desserts Sweets Trolley in 2019 and her finalist position in The Great Australian Bake Off in 2016.


Her mouthwatering cakes and bakes have graced the screens of Foxtel, Lifestyle, Channel 9, 9Now, 9Fix, and 9Honey, captivating viewers with their exquisite designs and flavors. Monica’s expertise has been sought after by various publications, including Cake Masters, Bake Magazine, Cake!, Cakes & More, Woman’s Weekly, New Idea, and Woman’s Day, where her cakes, interviews, and tutorials have been featured.


www.moreishcakes.com.au
www.Monicacavallaro.com

Kayla Giddings
United States

ot Klerck is an International multi award winning cake artist, she honed her skills in art school, but taught herself the basics (and more!) of cake decoration. She lives in Wellington in the wine region of the Cape, South Africa and is married to Tobie, together they have 4 children. ​ Each year Dot is invited to teach at International Sugar Shows and Sugar Schools all around the world. She has traveled to more than 30 different countries teaching her unique skills in sculpture and design and continues to create her sugar sculptures in between teaching.

Zoe Hopkinson
United Kingdom
Zoe is the creative force behind Zoe’s Fancy Cakes (UK). Zoe has a love of all things arty and likes to bring this out in her passion for decorating and teaching all things cake. Zoe’s journey into the world of cakes began by accident late 2013 when out of the blue she was asked to make a little cake topper, Zoe still doesn’t know why she was asked but she has never looked back since. Zoe is based in Leeds, England where she works from her Shop alongside the rest of her team (Richard, Ste and Jeanette). 
Zoe’s passion is teaching and through her YouTube channel; Zoe’s Fancy Cakes she manages to break down the most complicated of cake designs into easy to follow step by step tutorials. Her videos are great for beginners, intermediates and professionals alike. As well as teaching online Zoe also travels the world showcasing her skills and passing on her knowledge through face to face classes. 
Zoe has won several gold awards at Cake International and has been featured in a number of Cake publications around the world offering advice / hints and tips to readers.

Meet our Ambassadors

cfm tiktoker krisha aira palma
cfm tiktoker janella mancenido
cfm tiktoker jocelyn escarez
cfm tiktoker jane sanes
cfm tiktoker maricris marasigan
Shaina Timbang
cfm tiktoker krisha aira palma
cfm tiktoker janella mancenido
cfm tiktoker jocelyn escarez
cfm tiktoker jane sanes
cfm tiktoker maricris marasigan
Shaina Timbang
cfm tiktoker krisha aira palma
cfm tiktoker janella mancenido
cfm tiktoker jocelyn escarez
cfm tiktoker jane sanes
cfm tiktoker maricris marasigan
Shaina Timbang
cfm tiktoker krisha aira palma
cfm tiktoker janella mancenido
cfm tiktoker jocelyn escarez
cfm tiktoker jane sanes
cfm tiktoker maricris marasigan
Shaina Timbang
cfm tiktoker jocelyn escarez
cfm tiktoker jocelyn escarez
cfm tiktoker jane sanes

Get In Touch With Us!

Headoffice:

517 Protacio, 126 Zone 12, Pasay, Metro Manila

Telephone:

0999-888-5000

Email:

info@peptarsus.com

cakefiestamanila@yahoo.com

Office Hours: M-F: 9am - 6pm