The owner of a Mystic bakery is newly dubbed the “Best Baker in America” after taking home the top prize on the Food Network show of the same name.
During the finale that aired Monday night, Sift Bake Shop Owner Adam Young took home the title and a $25,000 prize. His final task was to create "the ultimate chocolate cake for 100 people that features caramel flavor and elaborate chocolate decorations, three types of chocolate and three flavors of chocolate bon bons," according to Food Network's episode description.
“The title? I mean, how cool is that? You know, small town in Connecticut, this really unique little bakery,” Young told NBC Connecticut.
He opened Sift Bake Shop in May 2016 and the Food Network already had an eye on him and his deserts. Previously, he was runner-up on the third season of Spring Baking Championship and has known since they filmed last February that he was the winner of Best Baker in America.
Hundreds showed up to neighboring business Pizzetta Monday night to watch the finale. It was a proud moment for Young, his wife Ebbie and their two-year-old daughter, Stella.
“I love Mystic. I love this coastal nautical area. It’s a very special, unique part of our country and the people are incredibly supportive,” Young said.
Tuesday the bakery was packed.
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Wilson Hall made a special trip from Philadelphia for his eighth birthday.
“I just met the ‘Best Baker in America,’” Hall exclaimed. “I’m eating his food right now and it’s my birthday! I just feel amazing right now!”
Hall also got a signed hat from Young.
“Even after the first episode we see kind-of an influx of folks who come here,” Young said. “If you don’t live close enough to Sift to hear about it word-of-mouth, then people are coming now from two or three hours away, they’re coming from the cities, they’re coming from upstate New York — all over the place. And it’s shocking to me people will drive this far for a cookie,” Young laughed.
He’s extremely appreciative for the publicity, support and said he’s humbled by the win, competing against powerhouses in the business.
He plans to use the prize money to reinvest in his business. In just two years he’s already grown his staff from 18 to 50 and opened a second, seasonal Sift Bake Shop in Watch Hill, Rhode Island this past April.
Among his accolades, as the former executive pastry chef and opening team member for both Ocean House and Seasons Restaurant, Young achieved the coveted Forbes 5 star and AAA 5 diamond awards, according to Sift Bake Shop’s website. He’s also been featured multiple times at the James Beard House.
