All is fair in cake and war.
Costa Mesa native and Estancia High School alumna Megan Faulkner Brown had a winning strategy when she battled on the popular reality TV show"Cupcake Wars."
The Utah resident's dark chocolate, brie, nut, cranberry and red wine cupcakes knocked out the competition in the April 8 episode of the Food Network show.
"It turned out as this great combination of sweet and bitter," Brown said.
For the episode, she was challenged to create a recipe using ingredients that a rock star might have in his dressing room.
She had three rounds, lasting 30, 75 and 120 minutes, to create the recipe.
"It happens so fast," Brown said. "Nothing can prepare you for that."
While baking against the clock was a whole new experience, Brown is a veteran in the kitchen. She grew up watching her mother whip up recipes.