JILA proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Great Bake Off, marking another successful year of this delightful culinary competition. The event, which has quickly become a cherished tradition, showcases the exceptional baking talents within the JILA community. From cakes to cookies to breads, JILAns, including graduate students, postdocs, staff, and Fellows participated in the institute-wide event. 

This year, JILA was honored to have an outstanding lineup of participants, including Sheng-Xiang Lin, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Addison Hartman, Theo Lukin Yelin, Dan Packman, Sarah Dickson, Rebecca Yoho, Sinéad Ryan, Min Ning, Cyril Metzger, Jamie Boyd, Gaurav Milind Vaidya, and Kaizhao Wang. Their dedication and skill were evident in each submission, contributing to the high standard and diversity of the competition.

The event was segmented into three categories: Cakes, Biscuits (cookies), and Other, each featuring a variety of imaginative and delicious creations.

Addison Hartman triumphed in the Cakes category with a stunning "Tiramisu Cake," while Rebecca Yoho won the Biscuits category with her exquisite "Lemon Rosemary Cremes." Cyril Metzger impressed the judges in the Other category with "The Inside Green," a unique pistachio pastry.

The event's highlight was the announcement of the 2024 Star Baker, an honor awarded to Rebecca Yoho for her Lemon Rosemary Cremes, underscoring her exceptional baking talent. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants for their contributions and look forward to what the next year will bring. Join us in celebrating the joy of baking and the continuous pursuit of excellence in all our endeavors.

Written by Kenna Hughes-Castleberry