Baked by CAM makes top 8 in ‘Greatest Baker’ contest: ‘I really love to feed people'

WELLS, Maine — When Casey Marsh was growing up, she would take a day off from school every Christmas season and spend it baking with her mother in their kitchen. As they listened to holiday music, they’d make pizzelles, peanut butter balls and more, and then deliver them to friends and loved ones.

At the time, Marsh figured she’d grow up and become a math teacher like her mother and others in her extended family. She had no idea she’d grow up and become a baker with her own business, Baked by CAM.

Nor did she imagine that one day she’d emerge as a finalist in a nationwide baking competition that had tens of thousands of entrants when it started. But that’s exactly what happened.

And, just like the jam-filled macaroons Marsh makes, her newfound success tastes delicious.

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Maine woman's creations wow in 'Greatest Baker' contest

In 2023, Colossal, an online fundraising platform, held “The Greatest Baker” Contest to raise money for DTCare, a nationally registered public charity that grants donations to The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which supports families of pediatric patients.

Buddy Valastro, known on television as the “Cake Boss,” presented the contest – a nice touch for Marsh, who grew up watching the show with her father on TV.

Across the nation, online voters visited the platform, judged photos of baked goods, and picked the baker whose creations satisfied their sweet tooth the most. The winner would receive $10,000 in cash, have their business advertised in a double-page spread in Bake From Scratch magazine, and meet and greet Valastro.

Encouraged by a friend, Marsh, who owns and operates Baked by CAM on Oak Lane, entered the contest, submitting pictures of sugar cookies, cakes, cinnamon buns, croissants, pastries, and more for voters to consider. As the competition progressed after starting in November, she found herself besting thousands of fellow bakers and getting closer and closer to that ten-grand and handshake with Valastro.

In January, Marsh learned she was one of just eight finalists with a shot at the big prize. Voters had until Feb. 1 to weigh in on their favorite.

In the end, Sara Husein, a baker from North Carolina, emerged as the contest winner. Back here in Maine, though, Marsh feels every bit a winner and one who might give the contest another shot sometime.

“I never thought I’d make it to the finals,” she said. “I was a little surprised, but I was just shocked to have made it as far as I did.”

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How Wells High School grad became a Cake Boss

Marsh is a 2012 graduate of Wells High School. Starting out, she went to the University of Southern Maine to pursue a math teaching career. When it turned out that idea did not add up for her, she turned her attention to building on those baking memories she has with her mother.

Marsh studied business and completed the pastry and baking program at York County Community College. She began baking professionally in 2016. In 2019, she opened Baked By CAM, which she named after her full name’s initials. The “A” is for Alexandra.

While growing her business, Marsh also worked a day or two each week at a local bakery.

“Each year, I worked less and less at that bakery and more and more here,” she said, as she stood in her kitchen and assembled “sweetheart boxes” for clients.

Marsh put together those “sweetheart boxes” in time for Valentine’s Day. Each box, she explained, contained two chocolate cupcakes filled with chocolate ganache, two strawberry cheesecake macaroons, four chocolate-covered strawberries, four chocolate chip and M&M cookies, and two decorated sugar cookies.

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Baked by Cam owner savors the creativity of baking

According to Marsh, her busiest business season is between April and November, a stretch of the year that brings a few holidays and lots of weddings.

And, of course, she bakes birthday cakes, especially during this time of the year, she said.

“A lot of kids have birthdays in February,” she added.

As expected with cakes for kids, Marsh bakes ones shaped and decorated as current cartoon characters, such as Bluey, and ones, such as Minnie Mouse, who have been around for generations.

“I’ve done a lot of Minnie Mouse cakes,” she said. “Minnie Mouse is coming back.”

Marsh said her personal favorite of the cakes she bakes is her pistachio-almond one.

“That’s my favorite flavor combination,” she said. “I love that.”

Marsh’s savors the creativity of baking and even extends it to the names of the cakes she bakes. You’re the Straw to My Berry is the name of her vanilla cake with strawberry filling. I’ll Take S’More Please and When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Cake are two more, with ingredients whose names give them away.

“I’m a pretty creative person, artistic-wise,” she said. “I also really love to feed people. I think there’s something special about that.”

Marsh said she loves what she is doing right now, and would be happy remaining a home baker, but she does have a dream that she keeps in the back of her mind and might want to pursue someday.

“I have tossed around the idea of maybe opening a bakery where people can come in and sit,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to have a cake and ice cream shop. A little coffee shop would be nice.”

If Baked by CAM continues to rise like a well-baked cake, Marsh may one day find herself with the capital to make that dream a reality.

And, of course, there’s always that hefty cash prize offered through that “Greatest Baker” contest that’s held each year.

"I think I would try my hand at this competition again - or perhaps others like it," Marsh said. "I gained a lot of confidence in my craft, and it was great exposure for my small business. I’m just a one-man show, after all."

To learn more about Marsh’s business, or to begin placing an order, visit online at bakedbycam.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine woman makes top 8 in ‘Greatest Baker’ contest