By WMBD-TV
BLOOMINGTON – Thursday, Crystal Kitchen received a $5,000 check for the Fresh Thyme’s 10th Birthday celebration contest.
Owner Crystal Stanley calls the win two-fold. She said she’s always wanted to enter a baking contest, and she’s a frequent shopper at Fresh Thyme.
The winning treat was a morning glory cake containing spice, carrots, apples, raisins, pecans, honey and wheat flour. Stanley’s entry was perfect for the “Better for You” theme. The requirements were to use one produce item, one alternative flour, and three other fresh thyme market-branded ingredients.
Winning the competition brought tears of joy for Stanley.
“I had always wanted to enter a baking competition, and I always envisioned what I would act like if I won. And when I found out, it wasn’t it,” said Stanley. “I just started crying and stuff. But I was so excited, just so excited to be able to represent Fresh Thyme and my bakery in this way. It’s incredible.”
Stanley wasn’t the only winner. As the winner of the contest, she was able to choose a local charity to also receive another $5,000 check. Stanley has previously volunteered at a food bank, making the Eastern Illinois Food Bank the perfect choice for her.
“When we found out we won, we were so pleasantly surprised, so honored, and we’re really excited to be involved,” said Sophie Becker, a spokeswoman for the food bank.
She said the money will help the food bank feed lots of people facing food insecurity.
“So, every dollar we receive provides three meals to someone facing food insecurity,” said Becker. “So this $5,000 donation is going to go a long way. We’re really excited to be able to provide that many meals to our community.”
In addition to the money, Stanley will receive assistance from a panel of mentors.
“She’s going to meet with industry experts where she can really learn the business of cake baking,” said Meghan Sedivy, Fresh Thyme’s health and wellness program manager. “She can talk to industry experts on marketing and messaging, on packaging and create that beautiful small business that she’s always hoped to dream for. So, we’re excited to give her all that great education information.”
Stanley started baking at age 9. She’s considering buying a new oven with the money she’s won.
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