GREENSBORO, N.C. — Baking is an exact science.
Just ask Bailee Sivley — the baker has perfected her craft through trial and error.
“Growing up, I was a very bad baker; I would burn things all the time. My cookies would turn out like pancakes," Sivley said.
Thursday, it’s a much different scenario in her kitchen.
While being isolated from the world is a thing of the past, Sivley has the pandemic to thank for her craft.
“I developed a love for baking during that experience and so from then on, I decided that I wanted to learn how to do it better, and I would just research to learn new tips and tricks, and I would use my family’s birthdays as a way to practice," Sivley said.
Practice makes perfect for Sivley, along with a little help from her assistant Adrian.
And all of Bailee’s hard work is starting to pay off.
While scrolling on Facebook, she came across the Greatest Baker Competition, a national contest hosted by renowned chef and baker Buddy Valastro.
“I saw it on there and thought Buddy Valastro 'Cake Boss' competition, and I didn’t know if it was real or not but then I realized quickly that it was," she recalled.
Through voting, the mom of three has made it as a quarterfinalist.
She is now in the top 1% of bakers in the country.
“I have a lot of support and love and I have really felt it through this competition, and I've been able to have support from people that I didn’t even know remembered who I was from high school and college," she said.
If she wins, she’ll take home $10,000, meet Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, and be featured in his Bake From Scratch magazine.
But winner or not, Sivley said baking for her starts with clean hands, her favorite apron, mixer, and the best ingredient — love.
Votes and donations play a significant role. All proceeds from purchased votes go to the Andrew McDonough Be Positive Foundation. This foundation supports families with pediatric cancer patients and contributes to vital cancer research. To cast your vote for Bailey, click or tap HERE.
