Visit Macon is proud to announce the winners of the first-ever Great Macon Baking Week challenge!  The Great Macon Baking Week consisted of 16 local bakeries and restaurants competing for the title of Macon’s Star Baker.

During The Great Macon Baking Week, July 23-29, nearly 200 participants voted on their favorite showstopper item and the top three businesses were awarded during the finale event on Sunday, July 30 at The Central City Bake Off at Mill Hill Arts Center.  

The first place award, which crowned the inaugural Macon’s Star Baker, went to Layer’s Signature White Velvet Cake. Second place went to Loom’s Mini Cheesecakes Trio - Spumoni, Peach Cobbler, Bourbon Caramel Flavors. Third place was awarded to Dawson's Kitchen Wedding Cookies. 

“Overall, our business tripled during the week! Our customers were eager to participate and it created a community atmosphere” said Steven Collins, owner of Layers. “Instead of just visiting a bakery, they were participating in a project, a quest to determine just what Macon restaurants had to offer!” 

“It has been a great Macon Baking Week, we are so happy to see so many visitors and members of the community coming out to support our local businesses” says Marketing & Creative Manager for Visit Macon, Anna Richards. “Most of the businesses sold out every day, some within 20 minutes! So far we have received 62 passports from people who tried 5 or more items, 8 of those have been people who visited all 16 restaurants.” 

Participants can continue to turn in their passports by mail or in person at the Downtown Macon Visitors Center at 450 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Monday-Saturday from 9am-4pm. Those who tried 5 or more items will receive the Macon Baking Week t-shirt and those who tried all 16 showstoppers will receive a special prize package. If people were unable to get stamps at businesses that sold out before the week was over, they can still turn in their passport with 14 stamps for the special grand prize.  

On Sunday, July 30, members of the community competed during the Central City Bake Off at Mill Hill Arts Center, hosted by the Mill Hill Bakers Collective and Macon Arts Alliance. Three guest judges sampled all the featured dishes: Alex Morrison of the Urban Development Authority, Sherita Sims-Jones, Budget and Grants Manager for Macon Bibb County and Lynae Radke from Helms College. 

The judges awarded local hobby baker Dustin Gaddis as the winner of the Central City Bake Off with his Six Day Sourdough Bread paired with Sundried Tomatoes & Manchego Cheese. Runner up was Timothy Hamrah of Enchanted Bakes by Timothy who featured a Chocolate & Black Cherry Amaretto Cake. 

“It was really a treat being able to support these talented bakers and give them a chance to showcase their skills” said Bo Walker, Project Director at Macon Arts Alliance.