Sara Vanderheyden, from an Ames, IA, Hy-Vee location, took the top honor at the IDDBA’s 21^st annual cake decorating challenge. She was announced the winner as the show was wrapping up on Tuesday.

According to an IDDBA release, Vanderheyden never intended to be a cake decorator, but found a passion while working her “getting-through-college” job.

Nayeli Cruz, with Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions, took second place while Paige Thornton, with Green Valley Marketplace, took third.

The three-day contest begins with creating enough production cakes to fill an eight-foot bakery case.  Day two is devoted to the creation of a wedding cake.  The third day each contestant decorates three cakes of their choosing, one from each category: special occasion, this year's show theme – Growing the Future, and decorator's choice.