Bake off Contestant Application
About the application
Join us for the Taste of Christmas: Baking for Charity, a festive community event celebrating holiday flavors, family fun, and giving back! Hosted at Hand Picked Nursery’s 25-acre farm on Friday, December 6th from 11 AM to 3 PM, this exciting event invites bakers of all levels to showcase their talents in one of three delicious categories: Best Cookie, Best Pie, and Best Cake.
The entry fee is $75, which includes your sample station setup and space to sell your baked goods during the event. Contestants are asked to prepare enough product to provide samples for at least 600 attendees, with each sample being a 4 oz. portion. These samples will be sold to the public through ticket purchases, and proceeds will be distributed as follows: 65% to the contestant, 30% to our two featured charities — the Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County and Forward Operating Base (FOB), and 5% to administrative costs.
Each category will award first, second, and third place prizes. First-place winners will receive $100 cash and a $100 Hand Picked Nursery gift card. Second place will receive a $20 Hand Picked Nursery gift card, and third place will receive a $10 Hand Picked Nursery gift card. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your creations, connect with the community, grow your local audience, and compete for prizes — all while giving back to two incredible causes this holiday season.
About the event
Terms & Conditions
Contestants are required to prepare a minimum of 300 four-ounce (4 oz.) portions of their entry for sampling, and additional portions are strongly encouraged, as attendance is expected to exceed 3,000 guests, based on our Strawberry Festival that drew over 5,000 attendees. Each contestant may submit up to two (2) entries per category. All portions must be pre-measured, clearly labeled, and ready to serve to ensure a fast and fluid process at the event. On average, attendees are expected to purchase five (5) tickets per person, so planning for higher demand is recommended.
Judging will take place between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM, with winners announced by 4:00 PM. In each category, first place will receive $100 cash and a $100 Hand Picked Nursery gift card, second place will receive a $20 gift card, and third place will receive a $10 gift card. All judging decisions are final.
Contestants may begin setting up at 8:00 AM and must be fully ready to serve by 10:00 AM. Stations must remain open and staffed until 3:00 PM, and each contestant is responsible for cleaning up their area at the close of the event. All baked goods must be prepared in clean, sanitary conditions, and contestants are required to disclose any allergens, such as nuts, dairy, or gluten, in their products. Hand Picked Nursery and the event sponsors are not responsible for any health issues resulting from food consumption.
Professional, respectful conduct is expected at all times. Any inappropriate behavior may result in removal from the event without refund. Hand Picked Nursery, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County, and Forward Operating Base (FOB) are not liable for any loss, theft, or damage to personal property during the event. By submitting your application and paying the entry fee, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.
Prices
| Best Cookie | $25.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | There is a $25 non-refundable application fee which is charged upon application. |
| Best Pie | $25.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | Single booth space is 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep. |
| Best Cake | $25.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | |
| Two Entrees in the Bake Off! | $50.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | Want to showcase more of your baking talent? Contestants may submit up to two (2) entries per category. This allows you to enter 2 categories or 2 entries into the same category in the Bake Off using the your booth space. All entries must meet the same requirements as outlined for the main contest submission: Minimum of 300 pre-measured 4 oz. portions (labeled and ready to serve) Clear allergen disclosure (e.g., nuts, dairy, gluten, etc.) Prepared in clean, sanitary conditions Must remain available for tasting and judging during full event hours This option gives bakers the chance to increase their exposure, offer more variety, and raise additional funds for charity while competing for the top prizes in multiple categories. |
| Three Entries In the Bake Off! | $75.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | Want to showcase more of your baking talent? Contestants may submit up to three (3) entries in the Bake Off. All entries must meet the same requirements as outlined for the main contest submission: Minimum of 300 pre-measured 4 oz. portions (labeled and ready to serve) Clear allergen disclosure (e.g., nuts, dairy, gluten, etc.) Prepared in clean, sanitary conditions Must remain available for tasting and judging during full event hours This option gives bakers the chance to increase their exposure, offer more variety, and raise additional funds for charity while competing for the top prizes in multiple categories. |
| Consignment Location Opportunity. | $40.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | Become a Consignment Vendor at Hand Picked Nursery and make your products a permanent feature at one of the area’s most vibrant community destinations! With thousands of visitors each season exploring our 25-acre farm, garden center, trails, and events, our location offers year-round visibility and steady foot traffic from families, gardeners, and local shoppers. For a one-time $40 setup fee, your products will be beautifully displayed in our retail space, where our team handles sales on your behalf. You’ll enjoy the benefits of selling without staffing a booth, while earning 75% of every sale (Hand Picked Nursery retains just 25% commission). This model allows you to focus on creating while we help you reach new customers, build brand recognition, and become part of a trusted community hub. As a consignment vendor, you’ll also have the opportunity to create and lead classes for the community, sharing your craft and teaching what you love. This added visibility allows you to inspire others, build relationships, and showcase your expertise in a hands-on way. Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand into future online selling opportunities, giving your products and brand even greater reach. Joining us as a consignment vendor means more than just shelf space — it means becoming a valued partner in our mission to bring quality, creativity, and community spirit together in one place. Don’t miss the chance to expand your reach, grow your audience, and establish a lasting presence at Hand Picked Nursery. |
Questions on the application
Business information
- Business name
- Legal business name
- Contact name
- Address
- Phone
- Website (Optional)
- Logo (Optional)
Additional information
- What are your prices?
- Tell us about your organization and why you would like to participate.
- Are you going to provide some type of interactive experience or activity for the festival?
Picture requirements
- Minimum pictures required: 0
