On June 22, Shantal Der Bogosian, owner of Shakar Bakery and winner of Food Network’s Cake Wars. visited Camp Zavarian in La Crescenta.
BY TAMAR KRIKORIAN
LA CRESCENTA—Camp Zavarian’s second week has been full of many fun-filled activities for campers. The camper’s days have consisted of swimming, yoga, cooking, drama, arts and crafts, and so much more. Despite how much the campers have loved the activities, nothing can compare to the special guest visitor they had on Wednesday, June 22, Shantal Der Bogosian, owner of Shakar Bakery and winner of Food Network’s Cake Wars.
Shantal shared how she is from South America and can speak three languages, Armenian, Spanish and English. She motivated the campers that going to college is important in order to be successful in life. She shared how she earned her degree in Chemistry and Engineering. She spoke of how she incorporates her knowledge of Chemistry and Engineering in her baking today. Shantal had the campers’ full attention as she addressed the importance of setting goals and working very hard to achieve them. “I attempted to get on Cake Wars for 6 years, I never gave up and kept pushing myself,” said Bogosian. You can imagine the thrill she felt when she was accepted to participate in Cake Wars. She was proud to be the first person to speak the Armenian language on the Food Network Channel.
Shantal shared her Cake Wars experience and the challenges she faced. “It was an unforgettable experience I will never forget,” she said. Bogosian was pleased to find out the theme for Cake Wars was comics, as she loved comic books as a child.
The campers were so excited about Shantal’s visit and asked many interesting questions. Chantal expressed how she was so proud to be on Cake Wars that she didn’t care if she won or not. She was grateful for the opportunity itself.
Campers were able to decorate their own cupcakes with Cake Wars winner Shantal Der Bogosian’s guidance.
The campers watched the Cake Wars episode Shantal appeared in. The campers were mesmerized by what Shantal experienced making such an amazing cake. They were even more excited to see how Shantal placed a small Armenian flag on the cake. The campers were stunned to find out the cake she made in the episode was 5 feet tall and weighed 90 pounds! She spent a total of 8 hours making the cake. She shared with the campers how she spent many days prior practicing to finish within the time limit, stressing the importance of practicing and preparing.
As if the visit couldn’t get any better, the campers were able to decorate their own cupcakes with Shantal’s guidance. She showed the campers how to make sugar ladybugs and how to frost cupcakes. It was priceless to see how happy and excited the campers were. She made a lasting, positive impression on the campers to see a positive role model from our own Armenian Community. Congratulations Shantal on your victory on Cake Wars and your victory at Camp Zavarian!
Source: Asbarez
Link: ‘Cake Wars’ Winner Shantal Der Bogosian Visits Camp Zavarian