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Christmas Cookie Matchup

Anna

Anna
Anna

As the granddaughter of a professional pastry chef, Anna’s had a passion for baking for as long as she could remember. At age 10, her younger brother was diagnosed with many chronic illnesses and allergies, so Anna began experimenting with recipes to create treats he could safely eat and enjoy. She fell in love with serving others and bringing joy through food, which she now does daily at her allergy-friendly shop, To Your Health Bakery, a popular destination in Winston-Salem, NC. Though this hard-working, self-taught entrepreneur specializes in in gluten free, vegan, keto and paleo products, she adapts her recipes to please any palate, especially when she donates her time to produce thousands of cookies for various charities.

A self-proclaimed Hallmark Channel fanatic, Anna also celebrates “Christmas In July” at To Your Health Bakery, allowing her to equally embrace her eternal Christmas spirit, her talent for baking and inner Hallmark fan girl Follow Anna on Instagram.

Q&A with Anna
When did you start baking, and why?
When I was eight year old, my little brother was born with a lot of food allergies. He was my whole world and so I started spending a lot of time in the kitchen to try and make special treats for him.

What are the specialty ingredients you can’t live without?
Oh my goodness. So many. But high on the list are cardamom, lemons, and love. Lots of love.

What’s your signature dish?
If I'm cooking, it's definitely a huge turkey with all the fixings! If I'm baking, probably my praline pumpkin pie!

Who do you love to bake for?
I love to bake for truly anyone, but especially my family and friends. Nothing brings me more satisfaction than feeding others!

What does holiday baking mean to you?
Holiday baking extends way beyond food. It's about joy and family time and memories...board game breaks and spontaneous caroling and giving back to the community. It really gets me in the holiday spirit!

What’s your favorite holiday baking memory?
When I was 5 years old, I begged my whole family to make a recipe included in my favorite "Pooh Bear edition" Candyland boardgame. My grandfather visited and quickly caved to making the truffles with me. I was too small to reach the counter so he sat me on top of it and let me help dip them in the chocolate and make a huge, delicious mess. It was our first and last time baking together and I'll always cherish it.

Meet The Bakers
Laura
Laura
Throughout her childhood in Northeast Wisconsin, Laura enjoyed being in the kitchen, whether it was helping her mom make cookies or simply as the official “taste tester” of mom’s dough. She also loved expressing her creativity, mostly through arts, crafts, and sewing. Laura eventually earned a degree in clothing design at the University of Minnesota and has been designing menswear professionally ever since. She began baking in her free time about five years ago, gifting decorated sugar cookies to friends and loved ones. Perfecting her favorite sugar cookie recipe was as rewarding for her as it was for the recipients who were surprised with detailed and delicious samples. She loves being able to express her design skills and eye for detail in different mediums -- clothing by day, and cookies by night! Follow Laura on Instagram
JC
JC
JC grew up in Louisberg, Kansas, a small farming town with a population of 1,500. As a child, JC’s beloved mother taught him to bake. She’d always say, “dessert is a must,” and JC still carries on that tradition with gusto. By day, JC works as an auditor for Costco Wholesale, but he’s famous around Kansas City for his decadent desserts. When his partner developed Type B Lymphoma in 2012, JC stayed home to care for him. Baking once again was a source of comfort. Then, as his partner’s health improved, JC spent his free time donating homemade cookies and desserts around the community. JC’s now specializes in custom cakes and handcrafted macaroons. Every single day, he “accidentally” whips up extravagant desserts to share with loved ones, clients and his favorite charities. Follow JC on Instagram.
Jodi
Jodi
Jodi Johnston is from Wenatchee, Washington and has been baking professionally for over 10 years. She owns and operates Cake Chic Studio with her mother-in-law-turned-best-friend, Sandy. When she’s not drumming up extravagant wedding cakes, you can find her in the kitchen as the executive pastry chef at Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery. She has a secret recipe that she’ll NEVER spill, but will pass down to her beloved baby granddaughter, Penelope. Follow Jodi on Instagram.
Anna
Anna
As the granddaughter of a professional pastry chef, Anna’s had a passion for baking for as long as she could remember. At age 10, her younger brother was diagnosed with many chronic illnesses and allergies, so Anna began experimenting with recipes to create treats he could safely eat and enjoy. She fell in love with serving others and bringing joy through food, which she now does daily at her allergy-friendly shop, To Your Health Bakery, a popular destination in Winston-Salem, NC. Though this hard-working, self-taught entrepreneur specializes in in gluten free, vegan, keto and paleo products, she adapts her recipes to please any palate, especially when she donates her time to produce thousands of cookies for various charities.
Monica
Monica
Growing up on an Air Force Base, Monica showed such an affinity for biochemistry, that one of her first paying jobs was at NASA. Her passion for art eventually won out, leading her to earn a MFA in Fine Art from California Institute of the Arts. Monica applied her artistic talents to baking and cookie decorating, launching two online sweet shops -- Pent Up Cookie Company and Mack and Jane. Her baking style is less scientific and more intuitive, producing customizable treats that are as fun and bright as her smile. But Monica’s greatest source of joy is her family, including husband Josh, teenage daughter Jordyn and new baby Aspen.
Ricky
Ricky
Influenced by his mom and grandmothers, cooking interested Ricky early in life. At age 11, he enrolled in cake decorating classes and knew instantly that this was going to be a lifelong passion. He worked his way up from bakery apprentice to Executive Pastry Chef, eventually becoming a Corporate Executive Chef at several posh hotels. As his skills and confidence blossomed, his creativity took flight, even fulfilling a lifelong dream of building a life-sized Gingerbread House! By day, Ricky works as a chef consultant, helping restaurateurs develop best practices. But, his whimsical culinary style and community involvement has made Ricky a local celebrity in Washington state where he lives with his partner Andrew and two adopted rescue dogs, Ponzu and Gandalf. Follow Ricky on Instagram.
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