Paris Insights - The Blog

The third annual Cupcake Camp Paris was held at Le Comptoir Général, a cultural center in the 10th arrondissement, on Saturday, October 26th from 3 PM to 5 PM. While entry was free, all proceeds from cupcake sales went to support the non-profit organization Make-a-Wish France.

This was my first time attending – the event has gained so much attention over the past couple of years that I felt that Discover Paris! should cover it this year. I arrived at 3:10 PM and was surprised to see a line stretching down the block. I thought that the queue was for the popular bar inside the center. So I walked up to the front of the line where I realized that it was indeed the entry point into the event.

Entrance to the Cupcake Camp
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Amazed that the line was so long, I went back to take my place in it.  The queue had grown considerably longer in just the few minutes that I was gone!

A Big Turnout for a Chance to Buy the Best Cupcakes in Paris!
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

It was the first wintry day of the year and an occasional drizzle punctuated the wait. An hour later, I finally got to the front of the line. I purchased tickets to buy three cupcakes, a box in which to carry them home, and a raffle ticket for drawings that were being held every 15-20 minutes.

The camp was held in a large area of the cultural center that served as a classroom and dining room. It was packed with people and it didn’t take me long to figure out that the theme of the event was Halloween. I was surprised to see that the vast majority of the attendees were adults! Hostess Cat Beurnier of the American bakery Sugar Daze and her daughter made a fine pair of witches. The other children that I saw were dressed in costume as well.

A Very Young Witch
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Where Are the Cupcakes?
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

There They Are!
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Of course, the main attraction of the day was the cupcakes. Numerous bakers contributed and the array of cupcakes presented was absolutely stunning! I made my rounds and took lots of photos before making my selection.

I was fortunate to be able to purchase one of the last three cupcakes that won the Best Cupcake competition – it was a Scottish recipe made with chocolate, caramel, and whisky with a Bailey’s cream cheese frosting. A chunk of Scottish shortbread and shortbread crumbs adorned the tops of these cupcakes, which were scrumptious!

Scottish Cupcakes – Judged Best Cupcake
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

My other two selections were the Casse-Tête, a blond beer-flavored cupcake with rum and lychee buttercream frosting.

Casse-tête Cupcakes
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

And Jumpin’ Jack Flash, a pumpkin and spice cupcake.

Jumpin’ Jack Flash Cupcakes

Both of these were also quite delicious.

The most unusual cupcakes that I saw were made from kale, beets, and cocoa powder. I was intrigued by this combination, but stuck with my initial choices.

The Kale Project Cupcakes
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The first Cupcake Camp Paris was held on July 4, 2010 at the Bistrot Vivienne and proceeds (~1200€) were donated to the non-profit organization Rebuilding Haiti Now. Last year’s camp was held at Le Comptoir Général and proceeds (~6000€) were donated to Make-a-Wish France. This year’s camp raised just over 5500€ for Make-a-Wish France.

I look forward to attending the camp next year!

Monique Y. Wells is the creator of the Entrée to Black Paris blog, selected as one of the 10 BEST Paris blogs by 101 Holidays.

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