BAKING DYNAMO WINS MESA’ S FIRST-EVER KIDS

BAKING COMPETITION

By Angie Fenton Photos by Christian Watson ydia Sprigler rushed into MESA, A Collaborative Kitchen in downtown Louisville, her face flushed, hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, carrying the now-cold sweet bread she’ d baked to audition for the venue’ s inaugural Kids Baking Competition.

The Highland Hills Middle

School student had just come from volleyball practice, recalled her mother Adrienne Sprigler, and was surrounded by budding chefs 8- to 13 years old carrying their own freshlybaked versions of delectable breads, eager to impress the judges.

Then, the auditions began – and Lydia was selected to go first.

Despite serving up a cold version of her sweet bread and arriving straight from her athletic practice, the judges were impressed with her knowledge and passion. When they whittled down the group of 30 hopefuls, Lydia soon learned she had been selected to compete in the first round along with five other competitors.

In the initial round, the 13-year-old and her peers created cookies by scratch in front of a live audience. Judges, attendees and online voters picked Lydia and three others the best bakers of the evening.

In round two, the four creative cooks each baked 24 donuts from their favorite recipe in 1.5 hours. At the end of the night, Lydia – along with her peers Jayla and Sierra – advanced to the finale.

Round three, the final leg of the competition, required each baker to produce 24 cupcakes and once again wow the judges, those voting online and the live audience at MESA, 216 Pearl St., where the contest had been hosted. Hundreds of people watched the finale via Facebook Live, many sending comments of support for their favorite competitor.( This writer observed the girls in person and was impressed by all three.)

When the finale was finished, each baker received comments from the judges, including constructive criticism and helpful advice.“ Lydia, you’ ve been smashing it every single week –

• The 13-year-old Floyds Knobs resident is the daughter of Adrienne and Chris Sprigler, has a brother, Harrison, 16, a black lab named Mae, a mini schnauzer named Junie and a dwarf hamster named pipsqueak.

• Lydia will enter the 8th grade when school starts and is an all A student. She enjoys art classes but could“ do without health and PE.”

• When it comes to eating out, Lydia enjoys Bella Roma, Israel’ s Delicias De Mexico Gourmet, Come Back Inn, Olive Garden and Berry Twist and Adrienne & Co. Bakery and Café for desserts.

• Lydia is a gifted athlete who enjoys volleyball. But her other interests include all things craft.“ I’ m pretty crafty. I have a craft room. I’ m pretty much crafty, sporty and I like to bake. I like snuggling with my dogs. And I have a trampoline too. That’ s what I like to do.”

• Lydia’ s love of baking began with her grandma, Terri Sprigler.“ I bake with her all the time. It was kind of like‘ Karate Kid’ where she was training me.”

•“ Go out and try it. If I didn’ t win this competition, I would probably keep baking. If you like( some thing), try it. Keep practicing and go after your dreams. Just do what makes you happy. You have one life and just live it to the fullest.”

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