Groups of students in Warren Area High School Family Consumer Science Teacher Lewann Alexander’s classes competed in a Cake Boss event. The four-week unit on cakes and cake decoration culminated with the battle.

“It takes them about a week to put them together,” Alexander said.

Students had to select a book and create a cake based upon that book.

Students were judged on numerous areas of their efforts — from their presentations to their decorating skills, the writing on the cake, how well the cake decoration reflects the book, and the taste.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Jayna Phillips and Ryleigh Ecklund put finishing touches on their team’s Lorax-themed cake prior to the Cake Boss event judging Friday in the Warren Area High School Family Consumer Science classes.

There were 16 groups, with books ranging from Dr. Seuss to the Hunger Games.

Group members were expected to participate and be able to explain their roles. In some cases, students were missing for much of the creation, but present for the final event. In others, key team members could not attend the presentation.

The judges did not punish teams if a team member played a role not directly related to the appearance and taste of the cake — dishwashing, for example, was considered an important task.

Some groups made extensive use of fondant, which the judges generally agreed has a more finished appearance, but doesn’t taste as good as buttercream, for example.

There were two groups that chose the make a cake with a Lorax theme and two who chose Charlotte’s Web.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Beerbower, left, puts finishing touches on his team’s Charlotte’s Web-themed cake prior to the Cake Boss event judging Friday in the Warren Area High School Family Consumer Science classes.

The grand cake — based on Winnie the Pooh — was made by the team of Alex Lytle, Alyssa Drozdiel, Linnea Wertz, Malorie Lawson, and Mackenzie Engebretsen.

Their creation included miniatures of Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet made of fondant, a pot spilling ‘Hunny,’ and more.

The panel of judges included Jessica Samuelson, Michelle Sobina, Brian Ferry, Kellie Goldthwaite, Scott Alexander, Amy Stimmell, and Jason Fisher.

The top three cakes — Winnie the Pooh and two of the Lorax were all within about one point on a 45-point scale on the judges’ score cards. All three scored above 41 points.