On Saturday, November 5 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford will host its first in-person Election Cake Bake-Off, a competition featuring entries from professional bakers and pastry chefs from across the state. 

Inspired by the Early American custom of celebrating Election Day with the traditional Hartford Election Cake, this festive Bake-Off invites chefs to submit their modern interpretation of the traditional spice cake, which will be judged on taste and creativity of decoration.

This year’s judging panel includes Stephanie Webster, founder of the foodie website CTBites, food blogger David Milton of @thedamgram on Instagram, the sous chef of Sift Bakery in Mystic, former Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, and 2022 Connecticut Kid Governor Makhi Ettienne-Modeste. 

The public is invited to view the judging and participate in election-themed festivities throughout the building. Guided tours will also be available for visitors who would like to see the restored National Historic Landmark which once housed all three branches of Connecticut’s state government.