Kayla Pyette and the Baked Vegan Co's creations are all vegan and gluten free.

Hub Staff

A global baking competition hosted by two-time Food Network baking champion Jen Barney, is offering one lucky contestant a $10,000 cash prize and a spread in Bake from Scratch Magazine. Also on the table is a visit to the competition sponsor Stuffed Puffs headquarters in Pennsylvania to meet founder and CEO Micheal Tierney.

Kayla Pyette, Port Elgin resident and co-owner of The Baked Vegan Co, has been participating in the Greatest Baker competition since October 27, a competition based solely on online voting, and Pyette made it past the first round of voting by emerging into the top 10 of her group. To make it to the next round she will need to remain in the top five. In a November 9 interview, Pyette confirmed that she’s currently sitting in fifth place within her group.

Because the competition is based on online images and a short bio, Pyette explained that most of the votes are coming from people who know her and want to support her in her journey as a vegan, gluten-free baker. Pyette began rolling out pastries and piping icing at a young age and followed her passion by completing a culinary management program with the hopes of one day opening her own bakery. When health issues restricted her to a vegan and gluten-free diet, she thought it might be the end of her baking career.

“I stopped for a little bit when I went vegan because I thought, oh now I can’t enjoy all that stuff,” said Pyette. “Then I was like, why don’t I just make all this stuff vegan." And that’s exactly what she did. Pyette teamed up with her sister Nicole and founded The Baked Vegan Co and together they have been whipping up plant-based gourmet desserts that rival the original versions and satisfy one and all.

The contest could be a game changer for Pyette, an opportunity to realize a dream she’s been kneading for most of her life.

“It’s such an amazing opportunity. I’ll be featured in a magazine and I get to meet an executive of a massive company which could lead down so many different roads which is incredible,” mused Pyette.

At the time of publishing, there were approximately 2 1/2 days remaining in the current round of voting with voting sifting through participants until one finalist remains in each group. These finalists will then compete in quarter finals and semi-finals until a winner is revealed. Voters can cast one free vote each day or pay for additional votes. The funds collected from voting will benefit the No Kid Hungry Foundation.

To cast a vote for Pyette, visit greatestbaker.com/2020/kayla-pyette.