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Cupcake creator will compete on TV show
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
AUSTINTOWN
Josh Bartell of Austintown, owner and baker at Bartell’s Cupcakery in downtown Struthers, will appear on the Food Network competition show “Cupcake Wars” at 8 p.m. Sunday.
Bartell will have a public viewing party from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday at Trax Restaurant and Lounge, 4250 New Road, Austintown, for the show, which was taped in March in Los Angeles. He will make a batch of 100 of the cupcakes that he made on the show to give out at the viewing party.
“Cupcake Wars” pits a group of contestants against each other in a series of elimination rounds. The ultimate winner receives a $10,000 prize and a high-profile gig.
As stipulated by his contractual agreement with “Cupcake Wars,” Bartell had to remain silent about how he fared on the show for the past six months.
He said it’s a relief that the air date is almost here.
“Now that the airing is finally here, I’m nervous and I’m excited because I have the chance to finally be able to talk about it,” said Bartell. “I can also say that we went back on for a second episode which was awesome.”
He would not reveal the type of cupcake he made on Sunday’s episode.
Sunday’s show is part of season six of the show, in which a panel of judges determine whose cupcakes are best.
Bartell opened his shop in Struthers in February and works there daily with his wife, Leanne, and other family members. Before that, he ran his business out of his home until it became obvious that he needed more space.
He has perfected about 50 different types of gourmet cupcakes, each with unique and intense flavors. He bakes and sells 30 to 40 dozen cupcakes each day, and even more on weekends.