Local junior Emalee Bolling took home top honors at the annual Pahrump Fall Festival’s Food and Art competition, impressing both judges and attendees with her stunning dragon-themed cake and mouthwatering apple pie-filled cupcakes. The aspiring baker, currently a student at Pahrump Valley High School, has big plans for the future, and her recent success is just the beginning.
Emalee’s dragon cake, which won first place in the age division for its remarkable appearance, was a visual masterpiece that stood out from the competition. “I wanted to challenge myself, so I made a dragon out of modeling chocolate,” she explained. “I knew my cake would be out for days without refrigeration, so I did a lot of research to figure out how to keep the buttercream from melting. The solution was a mix of half butter, half shortening, and a little meringue powder. It worked perfectly—the cake didn’t melt, though the color did change a bit from being on display.”
The cake itself was a vanilla sponge, simple but elegantly crafted. “I chose buttercream over fondant for time reasons and because I hadn’t worked with fondant before. The dragon was the real challenge—it was completely made of modeling chocolate, which was an incredible learning experience,” she said, smiling as she recalled the hours spent perfecting the dragon. “It was a messy process, with marshmallow and Rice Krispie treats sticking everywhere!”
Emalee’s cupcakes, which took second place in the taste category, were equally as impressive for their flavor profile. “I wanted to make sure I had something that people would really enjoy eating,” she shared. “I made basic white cupcakes, filled them with apple pie filling, and topped them with cinnamon buttercream. The combination was a hit! I couldn’t taste test the cake myself, but I knew the buttercream and the filling were delicious.”
Her cupcakes were not only a success at the festival, but also at her high school, where they sold out within half an hour during a fundraising event for the culinary program. “We made $24 in just 30 minutes selling them to teachers. That was really exciting for me!” she added.
Emalee’s participation in the Fall Festival competition was sparked by her experience in the school’s culinary program, led by Chef Jones. The Culinary Arts program at Pahrump Valley High School is part of the school’s CTE (Career and Technical Education) pathway, which helps students gain practical skills and certifications. “Chef Jones was the one who announced the competition to our class and our culinary club. She’s been incredibly supportive, offering us ingredients, class time, and even after-school sessions to work on our entries,” Emalee said. “We had about 12 submissions from students, and Chef Jones made sure we had everything we needed. She’s been amazing.”
Her dragon cake and cupcakes earned her accolades not only in her age division but also across categories. The cake took second place overall in the decorated cakes division, which included submissions from adults, while her cupcakes were judged against other food entries, making her win all the more impressive. The first place winner in the tasting division were cookies.
When asked about her future plans, Emalee said she is determined to pursue a career in baking. “I’ve always wanted to be a baker, and this competition gave me the chance to practice and see if this is really what I want to do,” she explained. While culinary school is an option, Emalee is leaning more toward studying restaurant management and business at UNLV. “I think learning the business side of the industry first would be really helpful, especially if I want to run my own bakery someday. You can learn a lot of baking through YouTube and practice, but managing a business is something that’s better taught in school.”
As for what’s next, Emalee is still deciding whether she’ll participate in her school’s upcoming salsa and chili competition. “I’m not sure if I’ll do it—it’s not really my thing,” she said with a laugh. But with Chef Jones encouraging her every step of the way, it’s clear that Emalee has a bright future ahead, whether it’s creating whimsical cakes, delicious cupcakes, or running her own bakery.
Her win at the Fall Festival is just the beginning for the talented young baker, who continues to gain confidence in the kitchen. With the support of her culinary teacher and the skills she’s developing through the program, Emalee is well on her way to turning her passion into a successful career.
1 Comment
What an inspiring review on this amazing young student. Thank you Amy Veloz for featuring these young adults who put themselves out there and strive for their goals and aspirations!