When it comes to the Cupcake Wars Competition, Kelly Perea is predicting good things for today’s event at the Christian Worship Center in Manteca.

“This is my year,” she jokingly said.

Perea is the center’s director of kids ministry and a Cupcake Wars contestant since its inception three years ago. If anything, she’ll again have fun taking part in the community-wide event that goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church facility at 786 Button Ave.

Women’s Ministry Director Beryl Bernstine came up with Cupcake Wars as a way for her group to “let their hair down.”

It quickly became a family-friendly event consisting of face-painting for children coupled with a cupcake-eating competition, door prizes, and photo opportunities with the mascot “Honey Cakes.”

But it’s the decorating part that’s the staple of the Cupcake Wars.

Contestants will pay an entry fee of $10, with general admission at $1.

Bernstine noted that participants – she has 15 entered, all adults, for this year – will again have five minutes to decorate their naked cupcake.

From there, the judges, who are made up of local business folks, will evaluate overall presentation, creativity and flavor. Each cupcake will be cut into four pieces during the sampling.

A notable past winner is Veronica Duarte of Vee Vee’s Cupcake of Manteca.

“She joined (Cupcake Wars) during our first year,” recalled Bernstine. “From here, she started her own business.”

The self-taught cupcake-decorating Duarte offers unique gourmet cupcakes for any occasion. She’s scheduled to help out at this year’s event, doing demos for those in attendance.

For more information, call the Christian Worship Center at (209) 239-4512 or click on to www.cwsmanteca.org.