Pinkie and Fluttershy bought their cake to the front table as Sapphire took a step forward. She smiled at them as she said, "I see you decided to go for a cake. Classic choice I must say."
"There's actually a really nice surprise about this cake but you might need to cut it open," Pinkie giggled.
"We hope you like it." Fluttershy said softly with a timid smile. Sapphire took a fork sliced a piece for herself and ate it.
"Excellent flavor for both the outside and inside. There's this really nice cream icing that's just not common in most cakes and I think you girls really got what it takes. As for the actually cake itself, I think this the prime example of what all good cakes should be. The aroma comes off very pleasant and natural. Not like the ones you buy from the store but rather one that's homemade. Outstanding job, girls." Sapphire smiled as she headed back. Now it was Mighty's turn to try a bite. When he tried one, Pinkie and Fluttershy were beginning to get worried because he wasn't as quick to respond as Sapphire.
"Now this cake I thought was well made. I can tell you girls put a lot of effort into it, however I will say the icing is a bit too sweet. Like most things cakes are one of those dishes where balance matters. Every part of the cake needs to have the same amount of sweetness. If the icing is way too sweet, it creates an unbalanced flavor for taste. The icing needs to be just as sweet as the actually cake itself and as for the designs on the outside, I wish they were a bit more creative. One thing that really draws everyone's attention to a cake is the design. Before they even take a bite out of it, it's the design that draws them in. If you were to put this cake on a pedestal at the museum people should want to take pictures. The cake isn't horrible but there are a few things that would have made it better."
"Take pictures you say?" Pinkie smirked. "Why don't you cut it open? You might find a surprise."
"Alright then, but I'll let Error do the honors since it's his turn now." Mighty said. Error took a step foward and sliced the whole cake in half and opened it. When the inside half was revealed everyone stared in shock. On the inside of the cake, was the Mona Lisa painting but made of cake. Everyone was shocked and even Amber couldn't believe her eyes.
"What in the world?!" Error gasped. "How is that possible?!"
Mighty and Sapphire took a look and their eyes went wide. "What the heck?" Mighty said.
"Feel free to take as much pictures as you want," Fluttershy said sweetly.
Everyone gathered around the cake. Error took his first bite but now with the elephant in the room, he had no choice but to comment on the Mona Lisa picture. "You girls pretty much mastered baking a cake and as for the Mona Lisa, never in my entire life have I had seem something like this." He turned to Sapphire and Hydro. "What do you think? If no other dishes are better, this one is the winner of the first round?"
"I'm all for it," Sapphire said. "Pinkie and Fluttershy, if no other dishes are better than you're team wins this round."
The latter's faces lit up with joy as they went back to their table. The next pair to come up was Sunset and Amber. They bought their plate up as Sapphire asked them what they made.
"It's a Honey Semifredo with lemon crumb with caramel on top," Amber said proudly.
"I must say this does look pretty good," Sapphire commented as she took a fork grabbed a piece. "The taste on this is spot on. You get that lemon taste in with the right amount of caramel and the way it runs down adds an enhancing look that really appeals to the eyes. Everything about this is amazing and if there was one thing I would change, is maybe making the semifredo itself a little bit sweeter because this is amazing. Good job."
Mighty stepped forward and took a bite. It didn't take him long to realize how good it was. "This dessert was executed very well, with little to no flaws. Honestly, this might be one of the best desserts I've ever tasted and I've tried a lot of them. This is what I would expect to be served in a restaurant. Nice job, Amber and Sunset."
Error was the last one to critique ad he tried a bite. "This is incredible. Never in my life have I tasted anything this good. Everything about this is amazing and the way it looks is mouthwatering. You girls outdone yourselves," he beamed. Amber and Sunset's face lit up with joy. The other students continued to bring thier dishes to the front to be judged. Some were really good, but there were a few not so much, such as Flash and Bon Bon's cornbread which would have been okay if it wasn't burnt. Something Mighty took notice right off the bat.
"Since it is burnt this dish is a bit of a letdown," he said as he took a fork and sliced a piece. After he tried it he said, "Now, I'm assuming that you weren't expecting this to be burnt right?"
"Hehe no I think we might have put it in the oven for too long," Flash chuckled nervously
"We were not expecting it to look this bad," BonBon added.
After Mighty tried a bite, he gently put down his fork. "And another thing is this cornbread does taste kind of bland."
Sapphire and Error had similar opinions as Mighty. Near the end of the round, Sapphire announced, "Now out of all of you there are 3 pairs that stood out."
"AppleJack and Rarity, Amber and Sunset, Pinkie and Fluttershy." Mighty said. The ones who were called were told to come to the front.
"Now all your dishes were the best we have seen. The Apple Pie, cake, and semifredo. All of you should be proud of yourselves because you and your team had won the first round." Sapphire smiled. The Canterlot students cheered as the Crystal Prep ones were starting to worry.
"OHh my goodness we won!" Pinkie squealed.
"Settle down now, this is only round 1." AJ laughed. "But this is good news nontheless."
After the first round ended, it was now time for the second round.