From Classroom to Kitchen: Great Hearts Educator Wins Food Network’s Halloween Cookie Challenge

Gabriella Flat is an EL specialist for Great Hearts, working with our English language learners in our Arizona academies. But she has a passion that extends beyond the classroom. She is the proud owner of D’s Bake Shop, a cottage home bakery she has successfully run for three years.

“I started baking in middle school,” she recalled. “I was really inspired by doing cookies, muffins, cupcakes, you know a bunch of different things. I know that this is something that I can make connections with other people because baking and cooking are ways that we create memories with our family members and things like that. And so, at that point I really felt like okay like this is something special.”

Flat’s story took a thrilling turn when she decided to pursue a dream she had never imagined possible – competing in the Food Network’s Halloween Cookie Challenge, another show she had watched with admiration for years. The decision to apply was a bold one, driven by her passion for baking and her love for Halloween. “One of the producers called me, and I immediately started crying,” she said. “I was so excited, and I also just couldn’t believe it. I love Halloween so I was really just banking on the experience that I have with that and the creativity with it for the show.”

The competition presented Flat with an opportunity to showcase her creativity and expertise. Her love for Halloween was evident in every intricate detail of her cookie creations. One of the most daunting tasks was crafting a sturdy coffin-shaped cookie that wouldn’t succumb to gravity. “Making a structure like the coffin and making sure that the lid didn’t fall like it did with my competitors was a big challenge. And making sure that the cookie actually tasted good was another thing. It was stressful but it was also a lot of fun,” she said.

Adding to the excitement, Flat was surprised to find out that one of the judges was the one-and-only Chef Duff Goldman, who she had watched and admired for years. Flat said one of her earliest inspirations came from watching him on the Food Network show, Ace of Cakes, where the Baltimore based chef is best known for his extreme cakes with moving parts and special effects. Flat was beyond starstruck as tears again began to flood upon meeting him.

When the moment of truth arrived, Flat’s heart raced as she awaited the results. And then it happened – she was proclaimed the winner of the competition. “I was really excited when I found out that I won. I couldn’t believe it,” she said. Winning the Halloween Cookie Challenge was not only a validation of her talent but also a testament to her dedication and creativity in the world of baking.

For Flat, the experience was a blend of stress and exhilaration, a journey that pushed her boundaries and honed her skills. The relationships she formed with fellow contestants and the thrill of competition were elements she enjoyed deeply. “I feel like it really challenged me to be more creative. I would hands-down do it again,” she said. The experience has inspired her to continue exploring new heights of creativity and innovation in her craft.

Flat’s journey from a middle school baking enthusiast to the champion of the Halloween Cookie Challenge is an inspiring testament to the power of passion and determination. Through her important work at Great Hearts to baking, Flat continues to foster connections and memories. Her story serves as a reminder that pursuing one’s dreams, no matter how unattainable they may seem, can lead to extraordinary achievements and a life filled with joy and fulfillment. Her journey is a beacon of hope for dreamers everywhere.

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