We have four amazing judges for this year's Kids Christmas Cookie Bake Off. They are so excited to meet the contestants and taste their creations! Read each judge's bio below.
Bryson McGlynn: MasterChef Junior Season 9 Winner
Bryson McGlynn is a 12 year old chef and social media influencer from Opelika, Alabama. His talent and dedication recently led him to victory as the winner of MasterChef Junior Season 9 which aired in March-May 2024 on Fox (and can now be viewed on Hulu).
Bryson’s culinary journey began at the age of 3, but truly took off when he was 8, discovering his passion for grilling and barbecuing. Competing in various culinary contests across the United States, he quickly developed a reputation for his innovative techniques and flavorful dishes. This early exposure to competitive cooking honed his skills and set the stage for his success on MasterChef Junior where he impressed the judges with his bold flavor profiles, expertly crafted sides, and delicious desserts.
Beyond the competition, Bryson is passionate about sharing his love for cooking with others. As an advocate for culinary education, he enjoys teaching and inspiring other young chefs to explore their own culinary talents. Through his social media platforms, Bryson continues to engage with his audience, offering tips, recipes, and a glimpse into his culinary adventures.
Looking ahead, Bryson dreams of continuing to broaden his culinary skills and one day opening his own restaurant. With his passion and drive, he hopes to make a lasting impact on the culinary world.
Follow Bryson’s culinary journey on social media platforms by searching Cookin’ with Cheese Curd.
Emma Romano: 2023 Anniversary Cupcake Bake Off Best All-Around Winner and 2022 Christmas Cookie Bake Off Best Tasting Winner
Emma Romano is a homeschooled 9th grader who was born and raised in Hoover, Alabama. She enjoys baking seasonal treats at Christmas time and drinking pumpkin spice lattes in the Fall. She loves dogs, babysitting, decorating cookies with her siblings, reading anything and everything, and writing stories. Emma's first book Behold the Sun was published in 2024 and is available on Amazon.
Justin Banger: Hoover Public Library Children's Librarian
Justin is known by many of the families of Hoover as "Mr. Justin" of the Hoover Public Library where he works as a children's librarian. He began working at the library shelving books while in college getting a degree in Fine Art. He now has a hand in many of the creative projects the library and children's department produce, from the myriad of programs to theatre productions, displays, even the bookmobile design. When not at the library, he can be found somewhere outside, reading poetry, doodling and hanging out with his wife, 2 kids and their 2 pugs.
Danielle Lieb: Owner of DL Designs Birmingham
Danielle started her home-based business as a side job while teaching 3rd grade. In 2013, with the birth of her first son, she changed roles and became a stay at home mom who painted during naptime. A close friend convinced her to start sharing her work on social media and her little hobby immediately took off into a full time job. She ships worldwide, has 27K followers on IG, and a booming shop on Etsy. She is in awe that people purchase her designs, everything from Christmas ornaments to door hangers to teacher gift baskets. Danielle is a graduate of UAB and lives in the Oak Mountain area of Birmingham, AL with her husband, Lance, and their three boys. In her spare time NOT painting, Danielle enjoys sports with her boys, running with friends, baking, and family trips. Fun fact: Danielle once baked and decorated 1000 Christmas cookies for a client before deciding she preferred painting over icing for her designs. Find her on Instagram @dldesignsbirmingham.
To meet the judges in person and present your cookies to them, enter the Bake Off here.
To read recaps and see cookies from 2020-2023, click here.
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