Mother and daughter team Carol Vollono and Brenda DePonte of Sugar Bakery & Sweet Shop of East Haven appeared on Food Network's Dec. 7 episode of Cupcake Wars and, besting three other bakeries, took the cake home with them.

The hometown heroes recounted their experience with fame at Mariner's Point on Feb. 21, airing the show for those in attendance. The quick-witted and endearing antics of the mother-daughter team captured in the episode were on full display for the audience, which broke out in laughter and applause throughout the course of the evening.

What did the audience learn? Sugar's $10,000 winnings went toward a reinvestment in the business. The bakery purchased two new ovens and a mixer and will be expanding for a third time at the same location, 422 Main Street, creating distinct baking and decorating sections to further hone the recipes of Elizabeth Bertier, the team's mother and grandmother who also works at the shop.

Since the victory, the bakery's already enviable reputation catapulted. Orders are coming in daily from throughout the state and avid cupcake fans have driven 4 ½ hours to taste a winning cupcake.