Jordyn Baker from Anchorage, Alaska recently won the SkillsUSA commercial baking competition in Louisville, Kentucky.

She competed against 42 other high schoolers from across the country, with the competition judged by professional bakers. The group had 7.5 hours to prepare a pan loaf of white bread, a braided bread loaf, two dozen knot rolls, two pie crusts (both filled and unfilled), sugar cookies, a blueberry quick bread (without yeast), choux pastry, and a filled and fully decorated two-layer cake.

The exhausting process took full energy and attention in order to complete, but Baker was able to bake her way to the title. Because of her efforts in the competition, she will be granted a full scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America.  For Baker, this is a long time coming, as she first fostered her love for baking began when she was 8 years old.

She hopes to one day return to Alaska to open a European-influenced pastry shop, and with her upcoming education that will certainly be a great option to pursue.