LEXINGTON, S.C. — A Food Network champion will be joining the judging panel for the upcoming "Great Lexington Bake-Off" competition.
The event is a fundraiser for His Hands Family Outreach Services, a non-profit organization that supports single-parent families in need in Lexington County and will be held on Feb. 24 starting at 1 p.m. at Radius Church off Platt Springs Road.
The nonprofit organization needs volunteers to help set up and take down the competition space, more local bakers to enter their competition, and spectators to watch all the foodie fun.
Right now, they have about 11 bakers signed up, which is about the same number they had for the September fundraiser. The president of the non-profit, Trish Maloney, said they can have up to 20 bakers.
Competitors will be debuting their most ornate and tasty cookies and bars in this competition.
"My fundraising coordinator, Denise, she actually came up with the idea. We both enjoy watching the baking competitions on Food Network, so we brainstormed and just came up with a format just simply by our joy of watching those shows and trying to follow that as best we can," said Maloney.
His Hands Family Outreach Services said it raised about $800 at its first baking competition in 2023 and helped over 100 families. Maloney said three judges will be at the event, including Food Network Holiday Wars champion Chef Kyle Smothers. These culinary creations will be judged on appearance and taste.
Maloney said she started the non-profit in April of 2022 to help families in need with food, utility bills, diapers, baby clothes, formula, and more.
"I was a single parent all my adult life, and I've wanted to do something to give back in a sense to all those who helped me over the years," Maloney said. "I have two grown daughters now. And then I came to find out there's well over 30% of the families here in Lexington County that are single-parent families."
Entry fees and ticket sales will go to His Hands Family Outreach Services.
The deadline to register as a baker in this competition is Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m.
Email hhfamilyos9@gmail.com for more information. Bakers should submit an application to this email address and an entry fee of $25.
The first-place winner in the bake-off gets $100 and a cookie cookbook, second place gets a ribbon and $75, and the third place gets a ribbon and $50.