QUARTER-FINALIST
Valerie
Elegant, fearless, and inventive—my pastries marry technical precision with Middle Eastern flavors, turning classic desserts into luxury.
Currently 6th
VOTEValerie could win the 2025 Greatest Baker title, share their work in the pages of Bake from Scratch, and take home $10,000.
Voting in the Quarter-Finals ends on Wednesday, January 21st at 7PM PST
Want to know more about the Greatest Baker?
Learn MoreTell us about your signature bake and why it's your most popular treat.
My signature bake is classic pistachio baklava infused with rosewater and finished with crushed pistachios and edible rose petals. It’s my most popular treat because it brings people back to a place of warmth, joy, and celebration. Every tray is built layer by layer, brushing paper-thin phyllo with ghee so it shatters perfectly when cut. The final geometric pattern, topped with rosebuds and pistachios, makes it feel like a luxury gift and a reminder of home— traditional and made with real care!
Who is your favorite person to bake for and what do you make most for them?
I love baking ornate cakes for parties with friends. As part of a Marie Antoinette Halloween costume, I created a rococo-inspired hazelnut and semolina cake infused with juniper berries, layered with spiced apple compote, and soaked in a vodka-rosewater syrup. While Marie probably never said “let them eat cake,” the theme pushed me to make something whimsical and extraordinary. I finished it with sour cream chantilly, roses, bee pollen, apple crisps, and Amarena cherries — a real showstopper!
How would you use the $10,000?
Launching a baking business with online recipes and content has long been a personal goal of mine. I’d use the $10,000 to kickstart this project — covering licensing, high-quality ingredients, and custom packaging that reflects the elegance of my treats. I’d also invest in professional content creation tools (camera, lighting, editing software) to share recipes, grow an engaged audience, and build a brand that brings globally inspired desserts to people everywhere.
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Help Valerie become the Greatest Baker while supporting a great cause!
Cast your daily vote below, or make even more of an impact with Donation Votes, a tax-deductible donation supporting the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
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Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Greatest Baker, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
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