Papa Ganache of Matawan Wins 'Cupcake Wars'

Papa Ganache of Matawan out-baked the competition during The Food Network's Cupcake Wars, earning the vegan bakery $10,000 and the opportunity to feed hungry stars at the People Choice Awards after party.

Papa Ganache faced off against 21 Cakes of Arizona, Sweet Magnolia Bakery of Minnesota and Sweet Dreamery Desserts of Los Angeles in hopes of winning over the judges with their creative recipes and artistic presentation. There were three rounds of competition with one bakery eliminated at a time.

In the final round, Papa Ganache and Sweet Magnolia Bakery were the only two left standing. They were challenged with baking 1,000 cupcakes in two hours and arranging them on a platform they designed for the after party. 

With three sparkling silhouettes representing film, movie and television at the top of Papa Ganache's platform, the vegan bakery claimed the spotlight with their People-Choice-Award-themed cupcakes. 

The episode aired on Sunday, April 21. 

Papa Ganache owner Lisa Siroti was first contacted by the show last summer when she was asked to submit an audition tape. 

"We sent it in and the producers loved us. They invited us to go to war," she said with a laugh.

Although they knew the show was interested, they didn't know when or which challenge they would be asked to participate in. In early November, however, Papa Ganache got the call to battle.

"It was all in the middle of Hurricane Sandy," Siroti said, noting that the two competing chefs had to drive to Ohio just to catch a plane to Los Angeles. 

Fans of the bakery took to their Facebook page Sunday night to congratulate them on winning "Cupcake Wars."

"Thanks for all the delicious cup cakes and for putting our small town on the map. You deserve the win," one customer wrote on their page.

Tell us: What's your favorite treat at Papa Ganache?