COMPETITOR

Just Desserts

HEAD COOK: Matthew Kinkade

COMPETITION: World Dessert Championship

I have been cooking and baking with my family since I was a young child. Both my Grandfather & Mother are talented bakers and I’ve grown up in their kitchens. When other kids were excited about the 25 days of christmas on television, I was getting excited about the 30 days of thanksgiving on food network. When my older brother got to participate in a chocolate cook off in middle school, and I was still in 3rd grade, I made such a fuss that my non-culinary dad agreed to enter with me. That was probably the beginning of my love of food competition. In high school I took part in the culinary program at school and it just cemented my love for cooking and being in the kitchen. I got to participate in the 2019 Oklahoma ProStart invitational, placing first, which allowed us to go on and compete at Nationals. That fall Helen Fields asked me to be on her WFC team. Honestly, that was the highpoint of my life at that point, before I had even finished high school. Since then, I have been focusing on learning everything I possibly can about the culinary world. In 2022 I placed in the top 11 of the WFC with my Mom as team Just Desserts. To be the youngest finalist, and the only male finalist in that catagory, with so many experienced bakers and competitors was a major milestone for me. I am so honored and excited to be competing again this year with my Mom backing me up.