Daniel Linville was the winner of the Cupcake Wars Competition last Saturday at the Christian Worship Center in Manteca.

He beat out Jessica Alcazar to claim the top prize during the third annual event.

Mark Cain was third while Larissa Castillo earned the People’s Choice honor.

According to organizer Beryl Bernstine – she’s also the Women’s Ministry Director at the church – 15 were entered in this year’s field.

Contestants had five minutes to decorate a naked cupcake.

They were graded on creativity, flavor and overall presentation. The cupcakes were also cut into four pieces for sampling, according to Bernstine, who was the brainchild behind Cupcake Wars.

About three years ago, she wanted to do a fun-filled activity for her group. But that activity – Cupcake Wars – turned into a family-friendly event.

As this year’s winner, Linville is in good company. He joins Veronica Duarte, who captured the first-ever Cupcake Wars.

Bernstine recalled that Duarte, a self-taught cake decorator, enjoyed the activity so much that she soon established Vee Vee’s Cupcake of Manteca.

Duarte, incidentally, was back this year, putting together a demonstration on cupcake decorating.

In addition, the event consisted of face-painting for children coupled with a cupcake-eating competition, door prizes, and photo opportunities with the mascot ‘Honey Cakes.’