Gunston alumna Ora Beth Mika ʼ03 worked in the healthcare field until her husband bought her a baking mixer. Now, she is competing in a televised baking competition show for a golden egg filled with $25,000.
by Susie Fordi ’18, @susiespapers
Photos courtesy of Ora Beth Mika
In the kitchen with a Zoom screen in front of her, Ora Beth Mika ’03 recalled showing a panel of Food Network producers the final product of a pastry she had created under a nerve-wracking time constraint. Pre-pandemic, this selection process for the Easter Basket Challenge, a baking competition show, would have taken place in a New York City studio. Mika’s path from the Gunston School to competing on national television is an interesting one, and not one you’d expect.
As an undergraduate at Dickinson College working toward a degree in biology and pre-health, Mika began participating in a baking competition at the Marin County Fair in California while visiting her family, who had recently relocated, over summer break. “After graduating, I moved to California to be closer to family and got a job at a tissue bank as a technician and researcher. I continued to compete in baking competitions but it wasn't until I met my now husband that I considered changing course and pursuing pastry,” she recalled. “I quit my job and started as a driver for SusieCakes. I got my Pastry Certificate from Tante Marie's Cooking School and made my way up the ranks in the cake world.”
She now owns Flour and Bloom Cakes with her partner in Napa, Calif. They make custom wedding and special occasion cakes, and have begun to create some of the Easter Basket Challenge’s smaller treats like the peanut butter eggs, (which you can have shipped to you!)
During filming, Mika spent almost a month away from home and family to quarantine for, and film, the Easter Basket Challenge. On the show, she has made a giant green fondant rabbit, a fully edible “garden party hat”, and a teddy bear pastry made from Peeps.
Ora Beth Mika on the Food Network's Easter Basket Challenge. Photo courtesy of Ora Beth Mika.
Before Flour and Bloom Cakes, Mika was the executive pastry chef for Perfect Endings, where she flew all over the country to make cakes for celebrities. Already renowned in the pastry world, Mika has gained her own celebrity status as a contestant on Food Network.
The Easter Basket Challenge premiered on March 1, with seven contestants competing for a golden egg filled with $25,000. To win, the contestants must impress the judges with their beautiful Easter-themed desserts prompted by outrageous themes. Tune in to watch the finale on March 29 at 10/9c p.m. on the Food Network or stream the whole show on discovery+.
UPDATE: 03/31/21
Ora Beth Mika won the Easter Basket Challenge and the $25,000 golden egg! The last assignment was to create a 3-foot tall panoramic Easter egg — out of cake. Her winning cake can be seen here.
Q+A With Ora Beth Mika:
FORDI: What was your journey after graduating from Gunston?
MIKA: I went to Dickinson College in Carlisle Pa. I got my B.S. in biology and pre-health. Although I grew up in Maryland, my family moved to northern California in my first year of college. I would visit over the summer and I started competing in baking competitions at the Marin County Fair. I loved research and the part of medicine that was taking care of people, but I wasn’t passionate about it. My husband bought me my first mixer and encouraged me to follow my dreams. Haven't looked back since.
FORDI: How did you come to do the Easter Basket Challenge?
MIKA: They contacted me! But I have always wanted to compete on the Food Network in a baking challenge. I have always pushed myself hard to do the things that are scary and challenging. When they offered me a spot, I was thrilled.
FORDI: Green or White team?
MIKA: WHITE TEAM!
FORDI: Favorite class at Gunston? Favorite teacher?
MIKA: Mr. Michael Glenn, my photography professor. He used to bake sweet treats and always encouraged me to follow my gut. We still keep in touch to this day.
FORDI: Any funny Gunston stories to share?
MIKA: My mom used to decorate our giant conversion van for every field hockey and lacrosse game. Drove us all around in that thing with a duck call to heckle the other team moms. Her spirit is unmatched!
FORDI: What would your high school self say if she saw you on Food Network?
MIKA: She would say "Well, that I did NOT see coming!" Honestly I was a little lost in what I wanted to do with my life. All the way past college. It is a huge relief to have found something I am passionate about and pursuing as a career.
FORDI: What advice would you give to your high school self or other students with big dreams right now?
MIKA: Try everything. I believe we are all in pursuit of those things that make us happy. When you are in high school there is such an emphasis on picking a career early and pursuing it hard. But what if you haven't found what you want to do yet? Don't worry, it will come, but in the meantime, don't be afraid to try new things. And understand that the things that make you happy come in lots of shapes and sizes. It could be a career, a place you're living, kids, hobbies, etc.
FORDI: How did Gunston prepare you for college, life and beyond?
MIKA: Gunston nurtured openness, kindness to others, and prepared me for the rigors of college academia. But it was more than that. Gunston is a special place — unique. It's like summer camp and school had a baby.
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Susie Fordi ’18 is a junior at The New School studying Journalism + Design in New York.
