Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join Julia as she takes a break from interviewing her 2026 Headline and Gold Sponsors to get caught up with two of her incredible 2026 judges. In this video, Julia welcomes judges Sandie Beltran (aka You Can Call Me Sweetie) and Beatriz Muller (aka Gingerneers) into her virtual kitchen to discuss what they most appreciate in entries and the pitfalls they hope entrants will avoid. At the end of the video, as the ultimate parting advice, they also share their biggest, most valuable tip for those entering or considering doing so. In other words, this video is a rare must-listen opportunity for every competitor. It's not often that competitions allow you to look inside the heads of their judges to better understand how they'll evaluate entries, but that's exactly the gift that Sandie, Beatriz, and Julia have given you here. Enjoy!
And if you're still on the fence about entering, don't be! There's nothing to lose; only lots of learning to be gained. Plus, there's a solid month and a half before entries are due (on May 31, 5 pm CT), so there's still ample time to throw yourself into the process. A link to the rules and registration is listed below. Sandie, Beatriz, the rest of the judges, and Julia can't wait to see what you create! As Sandie and Beatriz say in the video, the first look at entries feels a lot like opening presents on Christmas day - it's a moment filled with wonder, joy, and often surprise! Julia sincerely hopes you'll join this year's fun and learning!
NOTES:
(1) Rules for the 2026 Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ posted to Cookie Connection, the competition’s home base, under the official "Competition Overview" on February 20, along with a link to registration on Eventbrite! Please read the "Competition Overview" in its entirety before you get started: cookieconnection.juliausher.com/blog/julia-m-usher-s-cookie-art-competition-5th-and-final-virtual-edition-2026-competition-overview.
(2) Entries are due on May 31, 2026, so there’s plenty of time to create!
(3) This video was recorded live and has not been edited, so please ignore the slight feedback that can be heard through most of the video. Julia updated her broadcasting software immediately prior to the video filming, and some audio kinks were clearly not worked out. But have no fear! All of the video's main messages still come through loud and clear!
Join Julia as she takes a break from interviewing her 2026 Headline and Gold Sponsors to get caught up with two of her incredible 2026 judges. In this video, Julia welcomes judges Sandie Beltran (aka You Can Call Me Sweetie) and Beatriz Muller (aka Gingerneers) into her virtual kitchen to discuss what they most appreciate in entries and the pitfalls they hope entrants will avoid. At the end of the video, as the ultimate parting advice, they also share their biggest, most valuable tip for those entering or considering doing so. In other words, this video is a rare must-listen opportunity for every competitor. It's not often that competitions allow you to look inside the heads of their judges to better understand how they'll evaluate entries, but that's exactly the gift that Sandie, Beatriz, and Julia have given you here. Enjoy!
And if you're still on the fence about entering, don't be! There's nothing to lose; only lots of learning to be gained. Plus, there's a solid month and a half before entries are due (on May 31, 5 pm CT), so there's still ample time to throw yourself into the process. A link to the rules and registration is listed below. Sandie, Beatriz, the rest of the judges, and Julia can't wait to see what you create! As Sandie and Beatriz say in the video, the first look at entries feels a lot like opening presents on Christmas day - it's a moment filled with wonder, joy, and often surprise! Julia sincerely hopes you'll join this year's fun and learning!
NOTES:
(1) Rules for the 2026 Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ posted to Cookie Connection, the competition’s home base, under the official "Competition Overview" on February 20, along with a link to registration on Eventbrite! Please read the "Competition Overview" in its entirety before you get started: cookieconnection.juliausher.com/blog/julia-m-usher-s-cookie-art-competition-5th-and-final-virtual-edition-2026-competition-overview.
(2) Entries are due on May 31, 2026, so there’s plenty of time to create!
(3) This video was recorded live and has not been edited, so please ignore the slight feedback that can be heard through most of the video. Julia updated her broadcasting software immediately prior to the video filming, and some audio kinks were clearly not worked out. But have no fear! All of the video's main messages still come through loud and clear!
