VIDOR, Texas — A Vidor teen has been selected to participate in the 'Greatest Baker Competition' presented by Chef Buddy Valastro, star of 'Cake Boss'.
17-year-old David Gutierrez-Sanchez has been running his own business, David's Bakery Desserts & More since he was 14-years old.
"I started watching videos on YouTube from a Mexican YouTuber... I watched Buddy Valastro on YouTube, too. It was amazing how he can create those kinds of cakes, so that's what got me into baking," said Gutierrez-Sanchez.
He creates all different types of cakes. Including 'Minecraft' themed cakes, a Harley Davidson cake and even a cake that looks like a Thanksgiving turkey.
"I have weddings, parties, birthdays, every kind of occasion that you have, events…" Gutierrez-Sanchez said.
His work has allowed him to be selected to participate in a national competition hosted by Buddy Valastro.
"Buddy Valastro was some of my inspiration, and all of the things that he has made... I feel really grateful and happy. I'm really grateful for all the support from my family, pastor, friends and yeah, I'm really happy," said Gutierrez-Sanchez.
The competition takes the most artistic bakers from all over America and gives them a chance to compete for $10,000 and a feature in 'Bake From Scratch' magazine.
"I'm going to donate part of my money to my church, One City Church in Beaumont, I'm going to give money to my parents and my sister. And the rest I'm going to use for my education," Gutierrez-Sanchez said.
For anyone wanting to take their first step in starting their own custom bakery, he has one piece of advice.
"Just go for it. Try and try. You're going to fail. You're going to make ugly cakes, but that doesn't matter. Everyone starts from the bottom and you have to keep trying," he said.
Voting for the 'Greatest Baker Competition' begins on November 27 at 12 p.m. and the winner will be announced February 9, 2024.
If you would like to vote or follow along with the competition, you can visit their website.
The schedule for the competition looks like this:
- Top 20 begins November 27,2023 and ends December 7, 2023.
- Top 15 begins December 7, 2023 and ends December 14, 2023.
- Top 10 begins December 14, 2023 and ends December 21, 2023.
- Top 5 begins December 21, 2023 and ends December 28, 2023.
- Group Finals begin December 28, 2023 and end January 4, 2024.
- The Wildcard Round begins January 5, 2024 and ends January 7, 2024.
- Quarterfinals begin January 8, 2023 and end January 18, 2024.
- Semifinals begin January 19, 2024 and end January 25, 2024.
- Finals begin January 26. 2023 and end February 1, 2024.