Relish

Let's just say that inquiring minds were placing their bets (and writing their blogposts).

After Jill Segal, owner of Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Cafe announced news of a Happy Hour Viewing Party for tonight's Cupcake Wars episode and that "more secrets of the universe will be revealed exclusively to you on June 28, 2011" one could certainly make a case that they might have won the thing...and they did. 

Chefs Casey Shiller and Dana Holland bested 3 other teams to win the $10,000 grand prize. It was the first time a team from St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri has been featured on the show, now in its third season. Tonight's episode was titled Cupcakes, The Final Frontier, and the teams competed to have their goodies showcased at a VIP party honoring the first American in space.   

Both Shiller and Holland have deep resumes and by all counts have recently put Jilly's on the local (and now national) map. SLM called out Holland's lights-out Sunday brunch in a First Look back in February of this year. And if tonight's episode was any indication, Shiller has the infectious enthusiasm--and talent-to be invited back to the Food Network.       

Jilly's expanded (just yesterday) from 60 to 110 seats--and is poised to do so again. Good thing. As any of the restaurants who have received it will tell you...national television exposure will shoot your business straight into the stratosphere. Live long and prosper, lady and gentlemen.  

UPDATE: Four-packs of the cupcakes that won last night's competition are now available at Jilly's for an indefinite time for $19.99 (individual cupcakes are $6.50). But be safe--call 993-5455 for availability.