So here’s the deal – earlier this week on the Bake and Destroy Facebook page I shared a Delicious Living photo album featuring “kid-friendly veggie recipes” that Teno would never eat in a million years. My comment said something to that effect, and a few commenters, including Delicious Living insisted that Teno would eat apricot squash rollups if only I’d make them for him.

Well I’m always up for a challenge, and the fact is I need stuff to blog about while I finish writing my cookbook so I pitched Teno and idea for a new Bake and Destroy segment in which I make him healthy recipes that people insist “kids will love” and he gives his honest feedback, on video, about whether or not he likes them.

Not only did Teno agree to blog with me, but he named his segment FOOD PUNCHER. This kid is a fuckin’ genius!

Awesome Contest!!!

Here’s where YOU come in! I’m asking you guys to design a homepage slide for my site for FOOD PUNCHER. Illustration, Photoshop thing, whatever you do – just make it 743 x 230 px and submit it to me via email, on Tumblr, or post it on my Facebook wall. Let’s say entries are due August 31st.

What will you get if Teno chooses your slide? Well, not only will we credit you and link to your junk on our first post, but Teno will write you a thank you letter and send you a box of snacks that he would not punch. Also, you can say you knew Teno before he became the first ninja president.

Need photo reference? There are lots of pictures of Teno on my Instagram account, although you don’t have to include a picture or drawing of Teno in the slide if you don’t want to.

I’m excited to see what you guys come up with, thanks!

Over 400 people have spoken, and Joy’s Day of the Dead apron design ran away with the victory! Cupcake Provocateur will be making her dream apron into a reality over the next few weeks, and you can see the final product right here at Bake and Destroy.

Additional congratulations are due to Sarah who won the $25 Cupcake Provocateur gift certificate just for voting!

Thanks to everyone who submitted a design, they were all super creative! If you’re still in a competitive mood, be sure to “like” SugarSlam 2012 on Facebook to find out what’s up with this year’s wrestling-themed cake competition!

Alright folks – this was really hard, but Cynthia and I agreed on five apron designs for you all to vote on. The winner will have his or her apron design custom made courtesy of Cupcake Provocateur, and guess what? One of you will win a prize just for voting – a $25 gift certificate to Cupcake Provocateur!

Vote for your favorite design below (you can only vote once) and if you want to be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment on this post letting me know you voted (you don’t have to say for who).

The poll is open until May 23rd – we’ll announce the winning design and the winning voter that same week!

Joy – Day of the Dead

“My inspiration for this apron is heritage, life, Dia De Los Muertos, tattoos , Mexican pin ups, lucha and lowriders. Why? I grew up in Southern California, and now live in Oregon. Culture shock.  I miss bouncing cars with dingle balls and tuck n roll, eating taquitos at Olvera Street and stopping at fruit stands on hot summer days.  Putting on an apron, with all these things somehow represented, would make BBQing in the rain much more bearable.”

Lily Munster – Elise

“I chose Lily because her character is so fun, she’s the rock of her family, and who else is such an awesome wife that she would custom make her husband a hot rod hearse for his birthday?! My apron is clearly designed after her dress, but what an iconic outfit! The apron is in light purple with black ribbons. The tie back is black and white, a nod to that flash of white in her hair. The pockets have bats on them like her killer necklace and the bottom of the apron is scalloped like the sleeves of her dress.  I put a light ruffle behind the scalloped edge because the apron she wears in the show has ruffles on the bottom I thought it would be super cute on this one. ”

 

Scooter – Crystal

 

“I’d love one of the waitress style aprons in a scooter theme. (I own both of these fabrics to contribute to the apron!) I’d also love to buy a matching one for my daughter, they’d be so perfect for girl scout cookie sales next year! ”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pyrex – Leigh

 

“My favorite vintage Pyrex pattern is Butterfly Gold. One cool thing about this pattern is how it was made as a burnt orange (or “gold” I guess) pattern on white, and also as a white pattern on burnt orange. I like the look of a classic style half apron like the one in the collage, and think this style of apron lends itself to this design idea:  have the apron body be white, and the top border of the apron have the burnt orange Butterfly Gold Pyrex design. The inner pleats of the apron could peek out as burnt orange, to contrast the white body of the apron. I think the orange inner pleats would really make this design stand out and be super cool. My dream apron, for sure!”

 

 

 

Cupcake Devil – Tom

This is Tom’s design, submitted without comment. Now that’s confidence, folks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entries keep on rollin’ in for the second not-so-annual Cupcake Provocateur Bake and Destroy Custom Apron Contest! A week or so ago I shared a few of my favorite entries so far, but we’ve received a lot more since then so I’m sharing a few more. Remember. you have until April 30th to send your sketches, collages and ideas to us at CPApron2012@gmail.com. Then Cynthia and I will choose our top picks and Bake and Destroy readers will vote on a winner. Someone will win a prize just for voting, too, so it’s fun for everyone!

Check out all of the official rules here, and you can see the previous winning idea here. And now for a peak at some of the entries:

All I can say is that if Amanda S. wins with her Game of Thrones-themed submission “A Spatula in the Dark,” I’m going to have to ask Cynthia to make me one too. You know nothing, Jon Snow.

Agnes B.’s Mod-inspired design is so cute you could almost wear it as a dress. You might also know Agnes as Betty Turbo, by the way, she’s a wrestling fan and fine donut artist and if she wins she promises to paint her nails to match her prize:

Your final peak (although there are many, many amazing aprons currently in our inbox) is this one from Crystal G. Ok, so maybe I was slightly influenced to share this one because she sketched me wearing her lemon meringue apron… but let this be a lesson to all of you: flattery will get you everywhere!

Like I said, we’re accepting entries until April 30th and the winner is going to receive his or her dream apron custom made by Cynthia! Who owns a custom apron? That is some posh shit you guys! Get to work, because the next post you see about this is going to be for the final vote!

I had to type up a quick post to show you a couple of the submissions Cynthia and I have already received for our custom apron giveaway. I hope these creative entries spark your imagination – the contest is open until April 30th! For all the details, check out my post: The Custom Cupcake Provocateur Apron Contest is Back!

These two submissions from Lavina G. are each adorable in their own way. I love the idea of a puffy rainbow apron – brings me back to my Rainbow Bright days! Are you starting to think of ideas of your own? Good!

There is a special place in my cold, black heart for this design, and not just because its designer Chelsie J. is the driving force behind Dottie the Demon Darling jewelry, either. Even Satan has a housewife, right?

Your last teaser comes from Erica F., who was inspired by the cherry blossoms in her former Japanese home. A military wife, she often baked cookies for the marines, and this apron reminds her of those times.

So as you can see, contestants are drawing inspiration from lots of places! OK, I lied… one more. I made a collage to describe my dream apron back in 2012:

“Peg Bundy meets The Cramps – would be a half apron that ties with a black patent faux-leather sash. An acidic-colored leopard print skirt – lime green or hot pink – with loads of fluffy tulle underneath to make it poofy and obnoxious. I will wear it while lying on my couch watching Russ Meyers films and eating bon bons.”

So as you can see, you don’t need to be Michelangelo to send us your idea – just sketch it, make a collage, or whatever you need to do to describe the apron of your dreams! One lucky contestant will receive his or her apron, custom-made! Now get to work! Send your submissions to CPApron2012@gmail.com before April 30th!

Back in 2010 I posted a Q&A with the founder and head designer of Cupcake Provocateur, Cynthia. A lot has happened since then, including Cynthia’s recent announcement that she has a mini cupcake in the oven (translation: a baby on the way!) But despite all the hubbub at Cupcake Provocateur headquarters, Cynthia asked me to host another custom apron contest and giveaway!

Just like our last competition, this is your chance to design & win your own custom made Cupcake Provocateur apron. Here’s how it works:

1. You email Cynthia and me your design – it can be a sketch or a collage that represents your idea.
2. Don’t worry about being an ace illustrator, because we’re also asking that you include a short description of your dream apron. (No more than 300 words, please!)
3. Cynthia and I will choose our top 3-5 favorite submissions and post them right here on Bake and Destroy.
4. My readers will vote for the winner – and one lucky voter will also win something special for him or herself.
5. The winner, as chosen by Bake and Destroy readers, will have his or her custom apron brought to life by Cynthia – and it will be the winner’s to keep!

Check out my video to see my dream apron idea and to hear me babble about this year’s contest:

The contest is open until April 30. We’ll post our top picks in early May. Email your submissions to CPApron2012@gmail.com and good luck!

Oh, and if you’re the curious-type, here is last competition’s video too. (Please note that the submission email address has changed since the 2010 contest!)

Check out the 2010 winning submission & finished custom apron here! Please allow 3- weeks after a winner is chosen fr the custom apron to be finished and shipped!