Meet the Judges for the 5th Annual Kids Christmas Cookie Bake Off!

Are you ready to meet the judges for the 5th Annual Kids Christmas Cookie Bake Off? We have three amazing judges who are excited to greet the contestants and taste their delightful creations!

Read more about each of them below and discover why they were chosen as judges for this year's bake-off!

Meet Our Judges

Andy Mathis

Andrea Mathis, MA, RDN, LD (also known as Andy), is a registered dietitian nutritionist and the owner of the nourishing food blogs, Beautiful Eats & Things, and Little Eats & Things. She is also the author of The Complete Book of Smoothies: 115 Healthy Recipes to Nourish, Heal, and Energize and the founder of Beautifully Social, an exclusive social media and branding course.

Her unconventional and practical approach to providing wholesome recipes and body-inclusive nutrition advice has been featured in leading media outlets, including Good Morning America, Women’s Health, Prevention, Huff Post, Shape, and many more. She is a contributing editor for EatingWell, The Kitchn, and Food and Nutrition Magazine, and she contributes to Mind Body Green, Well + Good, Parents, MSN, Healthline, and others.

Based in Alabama, when she’s not running after her two boys, Andy enjoys creating content that encourages self-love and promotes body positivity.

Emily Roy

Emily Roy, Bake Off Judge

Emily Roy is the Chef Culinary Director for Pelham High School for the Hospitality & Tourism program. She also is passionate about her monthly Supper Club with carefully curated food and wine pairings, creating interactive dinners where people want to cook, eat and learn together. And she organizes events, cooking classes and catering locally. Emily worked for 12 years at Publix Aprons Cooking School teaching classes to the public. She worked her way from Sous Chef to head of operations as Senior Managing Chef. She trained in Boston, Denver and Orlando and gives credit to all the talented chefs who taught her over the years. Emily says one of the things she's most proud of is becoming a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier International in 2023.

Abby Harris

Abby is a thirteen-year-old homeschooler in Hoover, AL. She has proudly been a part of Itty Bitty Bakers since she was six years old and is one of its founding students. Her creativity, attention to detail, and love of helping others in the kitchen have made her an important part of the Itty Bitty Bakers community. Abby volunteers as an Itty Bitty Bakers Youth Helper, where she loves encouraging younger students and helping them discover the joy of baking.

Abby has received Christmas Cookie Bake-Off awards in the past, including Most Festive Cookie in 2022 for her 'Holiday Hot Chocolate Cookies' and Best All-Around Cookie in 2023 for her 'Snowy Christmas Alfajores.' This year, Abby is thrilled to return to the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off as a judge and can't wait to celebrate the creativity and talent of this year’s bakers.

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Join the Fun!

To meet the judges in person and present your cookies to them, enter the 2025 Bake Off here!

Recap of Previous Bake Offs

To read recaps and see cookies from 2020-2024, click here.

Why Baking is Important for Kids

Baking is more than just a fun activity; it teaches kids valuable skills. From measuring ingredients to following instructions, baking helps develop math and reading skills. It also encourages creativity as kids experiment with flavors and decorations.

In our baking classes, children learn not just how to bake but also the importance of teamwork and patience. They take pride in their creations, which boosts their confidence.

Our Unique Offerings

If parents are looking for activities for their kids ages 3-14 to do in their free time, then we are the right place. Our kids' baking classes are held each month, not just during summer camp season. We are also the only business in town that teaches kids cooking and baking, not just cake decorating.

We offer dinner classes where kids can make and take home dinner for the whole family. This hands-on experience not only teaches them cooking skills but also the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.

Conclusion

We are excited to see the creativity and talent of all the young bakers participating in the 5th Annual Kids Christmas Cookie Bake Off. With our amazing judges and engaging classes, we aim to inspire a love for baking in every child. Join us for a fun-filled event that celebrates the joy of baking and the spirit of the holiday season!