OBAMA PRESIDENT?S CAKE COMPETITION
The Institute for Teaching and Research on Women at Towson University (ITROW) invites academic departments, administrative units, student organizations, and sororities and fraternities to participate in the Obama President?s Cake Competition. On April 1, 2009 at 3:30pm in the University Union Chesapeake Rooms I and II, ITROW is hosting a presentation by Nancy Siegel, Associate Professor of Art History titled, An Appetite for Politics: Women as Culinary Activists in the Early Republic. The Obama President?s Cake Competition is being held in conjunction with this presentation to celebrate the historical election of the United States? first African American President. Nancy Siegel is addressing the genre of cookbooks and recipes from the late eighteenth century which influenced colonial women to become culinary activists and direct participants in the cause for independence from England. Recipes hailing the efforts of important political figures were developed such as the President cake, Washington cake, Washington pound cake, Washington fritters, Franklin gingerbread, and Franklin buns to name just a few. With the establishment of ?American? recipes and the use of native ingredients, food became a vehicle that allowed the diner to swallow his or her national pride with every bite.
Academic departments, administrative units, student organizations, and sororities and fraternities are invited to celebrate the historical election of the United States? first African American President and express their culinary activism! Each campus entity is limited to submitting one entry. By going to the ITROW website, {www.towson.edu/itrow} you can print off the Obama President?s Cake Competition Form which can be faxed to our office at 410-704-3469. Alternatively, you may mail the form to ITROW through campus mail. If you have questions about the event please contact Rebecca Julian at {rjulian@towson.edu} or by phone at 410-704-5457.
The first place winner will receive $300, the second place winner $200, and the third place winner $100, which will be deposited into their university account. In addition, the winning cakes and their baker(s) will be photographed. ITROW will issue a press release to major media outlets announcing the event. All entrants will be listed in the event program and announcements advertising the event. The entry form must be received no later than March 13 , 2009.
Contest judges will be drawn from professional bakers/culinary organizations and from non-participating student organizations and academic departments. Entrants will be required to bake two cakes, one used for the purpose of judging and the other for display on the day of the event. I hope you will consider participating in this novel and celebratory event.
