Schnucks Icer is Cool Customer

When Schnucks Des Peres cake decorator Jodi Schweiss flew to Anaheim, Calif. for the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s 16th annual Cake Decorating Challenge, she had no idea she’d be flying back with the first-place trophy.

Schweiss, a third-generation baker, has more than 30 years experience and has worked at Schnucks since 2009. About 100 decorators from across the country submitted photos to the IDDBA and the three finalists were chosen to compete.

As a finalist, Schweiss estimates she decorated more than 30 cakes during the three-day competition. The first day, contestants decorated enough cakes to fill one 7-foot multitiered bakery case, followed by a multitiered wedding cake on the second day. In the final challenge, contestants decorated three themed cakes of their choosing from select categories.

“When they announced me as the winner, I cried and was truly surprised and honored,” Schweiss said. “I dedicated my win to my father and mother. My dad taught me my work ethic, and my mom taught me everything I know about cake decorating.”

This is the first time a Schnucks teammate has entered the competition, according to Bill Mihu, Schnucks VP of bakery. “Everyone at Schnucks is extremely proud of Jodi,” he said. “She truly does strive to provide our Des Peres bakery customers with a spectacular food experience every time they order a custom-decorated cake from her.”

Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets Inc. operates 105 stores and 101 in-store pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi.