Bake Off Competition Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions (the "Terms") govern participation in the "Festival of Cake – Bake Off Competition" (the "Competition"), organised by TGP International DMCC (the "Organiser").

By submitting an entry to the Competition, each participant agrees to be bound by these Terms and any updates or amendments that may be issued by the Organiser. The Organiser's decisions in relation to all aspects of the Competition, including interpretation and enforcement of these Terms, shall be final and binding.

2. Eligibility

2.1 The Competition is open to individuals who meet the following criteria (each an "Eligible Individual"):

1. Are aged ten (10) years or older at the time of submission; and
2. Submit a valid entry in accordance with Clause 3 (Entry Process).

2.2 Participants under the age of twenty-one (21) must obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian prior to participation. The Organiser reserves the right to request proof of such consent at any stage, as well as proof of age and identity, such as a valid Emirates ID.

2.3 For the purposes of category allocation, Eligible Individuals shall be classified as follows:

a) Professional Category: Open to individuals aged twenty-one (21) or older who:

• Have at least one (1) year of documented professional baking or culinary experience; or
• Have received formal baking or culinary education; or
• Receive payment for their services in the field of baking or cooking.

b) Amateur Category: Open to individuals aged eighteen (18) or older who:

• Do not receive any form of compensation for baking or cooking services; and
• Have not received any formal baking or culinary training.

c) Junior Category: Open to individuals aged ten (10) to seventeen (17), regardless of experience, who have an interest in baking.

2.4 Participants who provide false or misleading information regarding their eligibility or category classification may be disqualified at the sole discretion of the Organiser.

3. Entry Process

3.1 To enter the Competition, Participants must purchase an entry ticket through the official ticketing platform (Platinum List), accessible via festivalofcake.com or expocitydubai.com.

3.2 Each entry ticket must be purchased in the name of the Participant and include complete and accurate personal details, including full name, date of birth, email address, residential address, and contact number. These details cannot be amended after submission.

3.3 The entry fee for each category is AED 150, which includes:

• One (1) general admission ticket for the Participant to access the Competition venue on the relevant day; and
• One (1) entry to a single baking category.

3.4 Participants may enter more than one category, provided a separate entry ticket and fee are submitted for each additional category.

3.5 All entries must be completed and submitted by the official Entry Deadline:

Friday, 14 November 2025 at 9:00 PM (UAE time).

3.6 The Organiser reserves the right to reject incomplete, illegible, duplicate, fraudulent or late entries at its sole discretion. Proof of payment or submission does not constitute proof of receipt by the Organiser.

4. Categories

4.1 The Competition comprises the following experience-based and age-based categories:

• a) Professional Category – Open only to individuals qualifying as Professionals under Clause 2.3(a).
• b) Amateur Category – Open only to individuals qualifying as Amateurs under Clause 2.3(b).
• c) Junior Category – Open only to individuals qualifying under Clause 2.3(c).

4.2 Within each category, Participants may select from the available baking disciplines announced by the Organiser. The detailed list of baking disciplines and their respective evaluation criteria is set out in Annex A – Evaluation Criteria & Judging Process.

4.3 Participants must submit their entry in the correct category. The Organiser reserves the right to reassign or disqualify entries submitted in the incorrect category.

5. Key Dates

5.1 The Competition will take place at Expo City Dubai on the following category-specific dates:

• Professional Bake-Off: Friday, 28 November 2025
• Amateur Bake-Off: Saturday, 29 November 2025
• Junior Bake-Off: Sunday, 30 November 2025

5.2 The Entry Deadline for all categories is:

Friday, 14 November 2025 at 9:00 PM (UAE time)

5.3 All Participants must deliver their completed submission to the designated drop-off point at Expo City Dubai on the applicable Competition date, within the following time frame:

Delivery Window: 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM (UAE time)

5.4 Judging will take place between:

Judging Period: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM (UAE time)

5.5 Award ceremonies for each category will commence on the respective day at:

Award Ceremony: From 8:00 PM (UAE time)

6. Submission Requirements

6.1 All submissions must be:

• Prepared in advance and delivered ready for judging and display;
• Clearly labelled with the Participant's name, category, and dish title; and
• Presented in a safe and sanitary manner, using secure, food-safe packaging.

6.2 Each submission must comply with the specific requirements applicable to its baking discipline, as outlined in Annex A – Evaluation Criteria & Judging Process.

6.3 Submissions must be the original work of the Participant. The use of commercial mixes, pre-made decorations, or outsourced baking is not permitted unless explicitly allowed under the relevant category criteria.

6.4 The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any entry that:

• a) Is incomplete, spoiled, or improperly presented;
• b) Does not comply with the competition discipline requirements in Annex A; or
• c) Poses a health or safety risk, in the Organiser's sole judgment.

6.5 The Organiser will not be responsible for any loss, damage, or spoilage of submissions during transport, handling, or storage. Participants are advised to ensure their entries are stable and durable for on-site display and judging.

7. Participant Obligations

7.1 By entering the Competition, each Participant agrees to:

• a) Comply in full with these Terms and any rules, instructions, or guidelines issued by the Organiser;
• b) Ensure that their submission is created and presented in a safe, hygienic, and food-compliant manner;
• c) Refrain from any conduct that may be deemed inappropriate, disruptive, unethical, or contrary to the spirit of fair competition; and
• d) Cooperate with any reasonable request by the Organiser in relation to verification of eligibility, entry details, or submission content.

7.2 Participants acknowledge and agree that:

• Participation in the Competition does not create any relationship of employment, agency, partnership, or joint venture with the Organiser; and
• The Organiser is under no obligation to provide feedback, comments, or justifications in relation to scoring, ranking, or disqualification decisions.

7.3 Participants must not:

• Present submissions prepared by others, whether partially or in full;
• Use any inedible, hazardous, or prohibited substances in their submissions;
• Falsify entry information or misrepresent their category classification.

7.4 Any breach of this Clause 7 may result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prizes or recognition, at the sole discretion of the Organiser.

8. Prizes

8.1 Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each Competition category, as determined by the judging panel in accordance with the scoring process set out in Annex A.

8.2 The specific nature and value of each prize will be announced by the Organiser prior to the event. The Organiser reserves the right to substitute any prize with another of equal or greater value at its discretion.

8.3 Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash or other alternatives, unless expressly agreed by the Organiser.

8.4 The Organiser makes no warranties or representations with respect to any third-party prizes and shall not be liable for any dissatisfaction, defect, delay, or failure associated therewith.

8.5 Winners may be required to provide valid identification and complete a prize acknowledgment form before prizes are released.

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 All intellectual property rights in and to each Participant's submission shall remain the property of the respective Participant.

9.2 By entering the Competition, each Participant grants the Organiser a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, display, and publish photographs, videos, or other images of their submission for promotional, marketing, and archival purposes in connection with the Competition and future editions thereof.

9.3 This licence includes the right to feature submission content on websites, social media platforms, printed materials, and in press coverage related to the Competition, without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

9.4 The Organiser shall not claim ownership over the recipes or techniques used by Participants, but may refer to submissions descriptively in promotional content or press releases.

9.5 All other intellectual property related to the Competition, including but not limited to the Competition name, logos, branding, promotional materials, and judging formats, shall remain the exclusive property of the Organiser and its affiliates.

10. Limitation of Liability and Indemnity

10.1 To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Organiser and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, partners, sponsors, and service providers (together, the "Released Parties") shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with:

• Participation in the Competition;
• The preparation, transport, storage, or judging of submissions;
• Acceptance, use, misuse, or loss of any prize; or
• Any failure, delay, or technical malfunction associated with entry systems, equipment, or third-party platforms.

10.2 Participants agree to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• a) Their participation in the Competition;
• b) The content or condition of their submissions;
• c) Any breach of these Terms;
• d) Any violation of third-party rights, including intellectual property or personal injury claims.

10.3 The Organiser does not accept responsibility for:

• Submissions that are incomplete, delayed, corrupted, damaged, or lost;
• Any allergic reactions, health risks, or illnesses arising from the consumption or handling of submitted items;
• Unauthorised intervention, tampering, or hacking attempts affecting the integrity or fairness of the Competition.

10.4 Nothing in this Clause shall exclude or limit liability for death or personal injury resulting from gross negligence or wilful misconduct, where such exclusion is not permitted under applicable law.

11. Disqualification

11.1 The Organiser reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any Participant who:

• a) Breaches or attempts to breach these Terms;
• b) Submits false or misleading information during entry or participation;
• c) Tampers with or attempts to interfere with the entry process, judging, or outcome;
• d) Acts in a manner deemed inappropriate, offensive, unsportsmanlike, or harmful to the reputation of the Competition or its stakeholders.

11.2 Disqualification may occur at any time before, during, or after the Competition, including after winners are announced. Prizes and awards may be withheld, revoked, or recovered where disqualification is determined.

11.3 Participants may also be disqualified if their conduct violates applicable laws or regulations, or if their submission is found to be plagiarised, inedible, hazardous, or otherwise non-compliant with food safety or Competition requirements.

11.4 The Organiser's decision regarding disqualification shall be final and not subject to appeal.

12. Publicity and Media Consent

12.1 By entering the Competition, each Participant agrees that, if selected as a winner, their first name, age, and city or emirate of residence may be published or announced by the Organiser in any media, without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.

12.2 The Organiser may photograph, record, or otherwise document the Competition, including Participants and their submissions. By participating in the Competition, each Participant grants the Organiser and its authorised representatives the right to use such photos, video, and audio recordings (including likenesses, voices, and names) for promotional, marketing, editorial, or archival purposes.

12.3 Participants may be asked to provide testimonials or participate in post-event promotional activities. Participation in such activities shall be voluntary, but by doing so, the Participant grants the Organiser a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual licence to use submitted content.

12.4 Participants waive any right to inspect or approve the final materials or media in which their image or submission may appear. All content created by or on behalf of the Organiser shall be owned by the Organiser and used at its discretion.

13. Data Protection

13.1 The Organiser will collect and process personal data of Participants for the purposes of administering the Competition, verifying eligibility, facilitating communications, awarding prizes, and conducting related promotional activities, in accordance with applicable data protection laws in the United Arab Emirates.

13.2 By entering the Competition, Participants consent to the collection, storage, use, and transfer of their personal data by the Organiser and its authorised third-party service providers for the purposes described in these Terms.

13.3 The Organiser may disclose personal data to:

• a) Prize sponsors or fulfilment agents for the purpose of awarding or delivering prizes;
• b) Public platforms (such as websites and social media) for the publication of winners; and
• c) Government authorities where required by law or regulation.

13.4 Participants may request access to or correction of their personal data by contacting the Organiser using the official contact details provided. However, changes to entry information will not be permitted after the submission deadline.

13.5 Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described above or to comply with legal obligations.

14. Force Majeure

14.1 The Organiser shall not be liable for any delay, cancellation, suspension, or modification of the Competition caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Acts of God, natural disasters, or adverse weather conditions;
• Fire, explosion, flood, epidemic, or pandemic;
• Acts or regulations of government authorities or public health agencies;
• Strikes, lockouts, labour disputes, or civil unrest;
• Technical failures, cyberattacks, or interruption of utilities or transport services; or
• Any other force majeure event as recognised under applicable law.

14.2 In such cases, the Organiser reserves the right to:

• a) Cancel or postpone the Competition, in whole or in part;
• b) Modify delivery or judging timelines;
• c) Change venue arrangements or logistical details; and/or
• d) Substitute prizes or awards with alternatives of equal or greater value.

14.3 Participants shall not be entitled to any compensation or reimbursement for costs or losses incurred as a result of such force majeure events or the Organiser's resulting actions.

15. Amendments and Governing Law

15.1 The Organiser reserves the right to amend, update, or supplement these Terms at any time prior to or during the Competition, where reasonably necessary to ensure the fair and lawful conduct of the event.

15.2 Any such amendments will be posted on the official Competition websites and/or communicated directly to Participants using the contact information provided during entry. Continued participation in the Competition after notice of such amendments constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15.3 These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates, as applied in the Emirate of Dubai.

15.4 Any dispute arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

16. Acceptance of Terms

16.1 By submitting an entry to the Competition, each Participant confirms that:

• They have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms;
• All information provided in their entry is complete, accurate, and truthful;
• They meet all eligibility requirements and category criteria; and
• They accept that the Organiser's decisions in all matters relating to the Competition are final and binding.

16.2 If a Participant has any questions regarding the interpretation of these Terms, they must submit a written request for clarification to the Organiser before the Entry Deadline. Failure to do so shall be deemed a waiver of any claim or objection based on ambiguity or misunderstanding.

Annex A – Evaluation Criteria & Judging Process

Overall Judging Process

• All entries will be scored on a 100-point scale based on category-specific criteria.
• A panel of professional judges will assess submissions during the 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM judging period.
• Judging is blind and impartial; decisions are final.

Award Structure

• 1st Place: Highest scoring entry in the category
• 2nd Place: Second highest scoring entry
• 3rd Place: Third highest scoring entry

Achievement Awards

• Gold Award: 90–100 points
• Silver Award: 80–89 points
• Bronze Award: 70–79 points

Baking Categories & Judging Criteria

Wedding Cake – Theme: Winter Sun (Professionals Only)

Requirements:

• Minimum 3 tiers
• Max base: 20" x 20"
• Handmade flowers only (no commercial flowers)
• Must use 4+ decorating techniques
• May include dummies but must be translatable to real cake

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 30
• Creativity – 20
• Technical Skill – 20
• Execution of Theme – 15
• Overall Impact – 15

Sculpted Cake – Theme: Competitor's Choice (Professionals Only)

Requirements:

• Minimum height: 12" (excluding base)
• Max base: 20" x 20"
• Must be at least 75% real cake
• Must provide 6 in-process photos
• Fully edible decorations required

Judging Criteria:

• Sculpting Technique – 30
• Creativity – 20
• Realism – 20
• Execution – 15
• Overall Impact – 15

Special Occasion/Novelty Cake – Theme: Take Me to Dubai (All Levels)

Requirements:

• Minimum 2 tiers (1 tier for Juniors)
• Handmade flowers only
• Must include at least 2 decorating techniques
• Fully edible materials only
• Max base: 20" x 20"

Judging Criteria:

• Theme Interpretation – 25
• Appearance – 25
• Technical Skill – 20
• Creativity – 15
• Flavour – 15

Chocolate Cake (Amateur & Junior)

Requirements:

• One whole cake (minimum 8" round or equivalent loaf)
• Must use chocolate in sponge and frosting (if applicable)
• All elements must be edible
• Presented on a sturdy board or platter

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 25
• Chocolate Flavour Depth – 25
• Texture – 20
• Sweetness Balance – 15
• Technical Execution – 15

Single Layer Fondant Cake (Amateur & Junior)

Requirements:

• Real cake (8", 9", 10" round/square or 9" x 13")
• No fondant or royal icing as base icing
• Only leaf, star, and round tips allowed
• 1/4 of the top must remain visible
• Bottom border required

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 25
• Creativity & Originality – 20
• Piping Technique – 20
• Texture – 15
• Flavour – 20

Themed/Character Cupcakes (Amateur & Junior)

Requirements:

• 3–6 regular-size cupcakes
• Must follow a central theme (e.g. animals, flowers, characters)
• Fondant/royal icing only for decoration
• Must be fully edible

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 30
• Creativity – 15
• Technical Skill – 15
• Texture – 15
• Flavour – 25

Cookies (Amateur & Junior)

Requirements:

• 6 homemade cookies
• No commercial mixes
• Displayed on a plate/tray
• Must include flavour label

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 40
• Texture – 30
• Flavour – 30

Gluten-Free Cookies (Amateur Only)

Requirements:

• 6 homemade cookies made with gluten-free ingredients
• Clearly label all ingredients
• Must be prepared in a gluten-free environment where possible
• Displayed on a plate or tray with flavour tag

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 40
• Texture – 30
• Flavour – 30

Brownies (Junior Only)

Requirements:

• 6 homemade brownies
• Must be cut into individual servings
• Displayed on a tray or plate

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 40
• Texture – 30
• Flavour – 30

Plant-Based/Vegan Cake (Amateur Only)

Requirements:

• 1 whole cake or loaf
• Must contain no animal-derived products
• Clearly label ingredients

Judging Criteria:

• Appearance – 30
• Texture – 25
• Crumb – 10
• Flavour – 35

For further information please contact hello@festivalofcake.com