🍞 Heritage Sourdough presented by Sunrise Flour Mills

Celebrate naturally-leavened bread with a Colorado twist! Entries must contain at least 20% Colorado-grown grains or regional heritage grain flour. Find flour from our friends at Dry Storage, Moxie Bread Co., Roaring Fork Mill, and Sunrise Flour Mills. We’ll be looking for:

• Crumb & texture

• Execution

• Depth of fermented flavor

🥧 Pie

Sweet or savory, classic or wildly creative—it just needs a bottom crust and a filling. Any shape or style is welcome. Entries will be judged on:

• Flavor

• Composition

• Execution

🍫 Bars

Blondies, brownies, lemon bars, cookie bars—if you can slice it, you can enter it. Classic and creative combos encouraged. Judged on:

• Flavor

• Texture

• Appearance

• Execution

🍬 Candies + Confections

From caramels and toffees to marshmallows, truffles, nougat, fudge, and more—if it’s a sweet treat, it belongs here. All styles and flavor profiles welcome. Judged on:

• Balance and composition

• Appearance

• Texture

• Execution

🎃 Squash

Bring your most inventive baked good featuring squash as a primary ingredient. Muffins, cakes, breads, cookies—you name it. We’ll be judging for:

• Creative use of squash

• Flavor

• Texture

• Appearance

🧁 Professionals’ Mystery Box

This one’s for the pros. You’ll receive two surprise ingredients to feature in any style of baked good—no limits on form, flavor, or format. Judged on:

• Innovation

• Integration of mystery ingredients

• Flavor and execution

Can kids enter the competition?

Yes, we’d love that! We will not be having a designated Kids category this year. Instead, kids are welcome to enter any category. There will be separate prizes awarded for kids contestants. Please note, kids ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at their tasting table.

Can professionals enter the competition?

Yes, of course! We define a “professional” as anyone who has completed a culinary program and/or been paid to bake (at a bakery, or as part of a cottage food operation). Professionals can enter any category, and will be judged separately from non-professional entrants. 

We also encourage pros to enter the Professionals’ Mystery Box category which will be a showcase for professional bakers only.

Is there a deadline to apply?

Yes! Contest entries close on Sunday, September 28 at 11:59pm, or whenever we reach our max capacity of bakers. Last year’s contest filled up much sooner than the deadline, so we recommend signing up as soon as possible to secure your spot.

What should I bring the day of the event?

• 90-100 samples of your baked good. We recommend making about 2 dozen individual baked goods and cutting into quarters (e.g. one muffin / brownie / etc divided into 4 pieces), or enough large format baked goods as needed. 3 servings will be set aside for judges, and the rest will be available for samples. 

• Your own serving platter and serving utensils.

• Rebel Bread will provide a 4’ table space, hand sanitizer and gloves for serving, and napkins, plates, and utensils for guests.

• Small cooler if needed for baked goods that need to be kept cool.

• Optional: marketing materials and/or table decorations if you have your own bakery and want to share about it!

• Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat (all bakers will be under a tent but may be still be exposed to sun)

• Water or whatever keeps you hydrated!

What can I expect after I register?

You may not receive an email confirmation right away, but we will email all contestants a reminder with instructions the week of the event.

Please arrive between 9:00am - 9:30am to check in and set up for your tasting, and drop off samples to our judging area. You must be available to be at your station for the duration of the tasting event (til 12pm). 

Winners will be announced throughout the event (timing TBA).

Can I enter multiple baked goods?

Unfortunately not. We’re limiting this year’s contest to one entry per person due to high demand.

Are there prizes?

There will be a Judges’ Winner in each category, People’s Choice Awards, Best in Show for the entire event, and awards for Kids’ and Professionals' entries (based on number of entrants). Check back later for more prize info. 

How do I know if I need to bring a cooler?

If your baked good contains any perishable components (e.g. fresh whipped cream, soft cheeses) you’ll need to bring a small cooler to keep it chilled! Please label your cooler with your name and cell phone number. If you are unsure, click “Get in Touch” at the bottom of this page to send us an email.

I entered the contest but won’t be there to serve my baked good. What should I do?

You will need to send someone to check in and serve your product for you. We will not have extra staff on hand to do so for contestants.

My friend and I entered together. Can we both serve our baked good?

Yes, but we’re tight on space. We wouldn’t recommend more than two people per table so we don’t crowd the tasting tents.

Exceptions are for Kids Category contestants accompanied by an adult or those who may need assistance serving. Please note this when registering.

Do I need to submit a recipe with my entry?

No, but please be mindful of common allergens. We’ll ask you to report them on the entry form and to be able to answer questions about ingredients at the event.

Any other questions?

Click “Get in Touch” at the bottom of this page to send us an email. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.

What is Denver Bake Fest?

Denver Bake Fest is a community baking contest and festival hosted by Rebel Bread. It’s an event that brings together bakers and bakery-lovers of all kinds, and celebrates the creativity and diversity in our food community.

What is Rebel Bread?

Hi and welcome if you’re new here! Rebel Bread is an artisan bakery based in Denver, CO. We specialize in artisan loaves and coffee shop-style pastries all made with regional grains, and love baking things that are “just different enough” – perhaps new flavors or styles of baked goods than you’re used to seeing. You can find our products at our Retail Counter, the South Pearl Farmers Market, Leevers Locavore, and in various coffee shops around town.

We always strive to be involved in our community and bring people together around baking. We’re excited for our second year hosting Denver Bake Fest.

This year’s event will also celebrate the opening of our new cafe and teaching kitchen!

Is this event only for bakers?

This event is for everyone! Think: County Fair Baking Contest (and everyone is invited to taste)!

When and where is the event?

Saturday, October from 10 am - 1 pm in the Design District Parking Lot, in front of the Rebel Bread Retail Counter at 675 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209.

Where do I park?

Free parking is available on-site. The event takes place in a parking lot, and there’s plenty of parking surrounding the event. We’re also a short walk from the Alameda RTD Light Rail Station.

Accessibility Note:

We strive to make Denver Bake Fest an inclusive event for all. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms and parking available on-site. Service animals are welcome. If you require any specific accommodations, please contact us in advance and we will do our best to accommodate (click “Get in Touch” at the bottom of this page).

Do I need a ticket to attend?

Nope! This is a free event to attend, but you will need to purchase tasting tickets if you would like to sample the baked goods.

How many baked goods can I taste?

Each ticket can be redeemed for one tasting sample, and you can buy as many as you’d like. We’re asking bakers to make each sample to be a few bites (about a quarter of the size of a retail baked good). We recommend you purchase 5-10 tasting tickets per guest to start.

Tasting tickets are available online, and in-person at the event. Please note that while we will have thousands of tastes available, a ticket does NOT guarantee you will receive a specific baked good. Make sure to arrive towards the beginning of the event for the best selection of baked goods.

Where does the money go?

Event income is used to cover the logistics of producing the event, such as equipment rental and day-of staff. All remaining proceeds are donated to our non-profit partner, CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness). Rebel Bread does not profit from event planning. We expect this to be a successful fundraiser for CHOW, and we will announce the donation amount at the end of the event.

Is Rebel Bread open during the event?

Yes! Rebel loaves and pastries will be available for purchase at our cafe from 8am - 3pm.

Who are the bakers?

Fellow community members with both home and professional baking experience!

How many bakers?

We typically host 80-100 bakers in our contest.

Who are the judges?

Judges will be announced closer to the event. They are industry professionals, community leaders, and friends of our bakery.

What if I have allergies?

Baked goods are lovingly prepared in home kitchens by each individual baker. Speak directly to the bakers at the event about your concerns.

Can I sign up to bake?

We’d love that! Make sure to read through the Baker FAQs, then sign up here (coming soon).

What can and can’t I bring to the event?

You CAN bring:

• Water bottles and other non-alcoholic beverages (no glass containers, please)

• Blankets and small lawn chairs (there is a grassy courtyard in our parking lot, and limited event seating)

• Strollers (please be courteous in crowds)

Please DO NOT bring:

• Alcohol

• Ice chests

• Large bags

• Pets (except service animals with a current rabies certification)

• Medical or recreational use marijuana

• Glass containers

Can I bring my dog?

While the event takes place outside, we ask that you leave dogs at home since this is a food event.

Any other questions?

Click “Get in Touch” at the bottom of this page to send us an email. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.

This list will be updated as the event gets closer.

This list will be updated as the event gets closer.