Events
Future Pastry Pros Show Off Skills at Bakers' Row
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 11, 2025) – When 20-year-old Cayleigh Ingram enrolled at Wake Tech two years ago, she had no idea what she wanted to study. Today, she's working at a local bakery and selling her sweet creations at Bakers' Row, a signature event that celebrates the artistry of Wake Tech baking students.
Ingram and other future pastry professionals wowed visitors Thursday with their creativity and craftsmanship during the popular showcase at the Scott Northern Wake Campus.
From delicate pastries to artisan breads and decadent desserts, students in the Baking & Pastry Arts AAS degree program demonstrated the skills they've mastered, giving guests a taste of what's to come in their culinary careers.
The event featured an irresistible variety of scratch-made treats. Savory selections included pimento and pesto cream puffs, pizza-inspired focaccia, cheese twists and Italian boule paired with spinach artichoke dip. Sweet lovers indulged in peanut brittle, cakes, cookies and classic banana pudding.
More than a showcase, Bakers' Row is a capstone experience that prepares students for success in the culinary industry. They learn to produce large quantities of breads, pastries, cookies and cakes efficiently while applying marketing skills to promote and sell their creations to eager shoppers.
For Ingram, the event was an opportunity to share several sweet treats. She sold macarons, pecan toffee and whoopie pies. At the bakery where she works in Wake Forest, she focuses on cakes and cupcakes, adding to her growing repertoire.
"I always enjoyed baking in my spare time, but I never imagined it could be a career," she said. "I literally stumbled into this building, learned about the program and knew this was exactly what I wanted to do!"
Ingram admits she was timid and shy when she started but credits her instructors for helping her grow personally and professionally.
"At Wake Tech, I learned the skills I need to succeed in the baking industry, but my journey was also about personal growth," she said. "I came in quiet, and now I am confident!"
Ingram, who celebrated her accomplishments at Wake Tech's Fall commencement ceremony earlier this month, plans to continue honing her craft now that she is a graduate.
"I'm not entirely sure what's next, but I want to gain more experience," she said. "I actually really love baking bread. So, who knows? Maybe that's where I'll focus!"
Wake Tech hosts Bakers' Row twice a year, in May and December, and the event is always a crowd favorite, often selling out quickly. Proceeds support the Baking & Pastry Arts program.
