According to the American Heart Association, teaching youth how to prepare their own food will give them a skill they can use for a lifetime, they will be more likely to eat healthier as adults, and build self-confidence. In Edmonson County, youth do not have the opportunity to take family and consumer science classes at school. Their only opportunity to learn food preparation is from family, friends, community classes or extracurricular activities like 4-H. 

During the 2017 State Fair, the 4-H Outdoors Club witnessed Cupcake Wars at Cloverville. The club begged the leader for the opportunity to compete the next year.  Since the leader access to a new larger teaching space at the extension office, she started hosting cupcake war classes with the assistance and guidance of the FCS Agent. Previously the kitchen space had not been available.  Many members of the club had attended cooking classes thru the extension office previously, such as Knead a Little Dough. Cupcake Wars gave them an opportunity to use on build on skills they already knew such as measuring and following a recipe. The FCS agent taught cooking without a recipe for main dishes, sides, and desserts. Food presentation for judging was also demonstrated and discussed. 

After eleven meetings, ten youth, ages 9-14, have reported that they can cook without a recipe, feel more comfortable cooking on their own, developed new skills such as altering recipes, and have more confidence in the kitchen. Six youth have reported they have improved their public speaking skills because of presenting to the judges. Three families have reported that youth are more involved in preparing nutritious meals at home using their new skills. Two teams have applied to compete at the 2018 Cupcake Wars at Cloverville.