'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Jamie Li, a San Mateo baker and 2024 National Pastry Conference award winner, competes in season 11 of Food Network's Spring Baking Championship, which premiered on March 10, 2025. The mother of three operates a cake business from her Peninsula home after transitioning from a 20-year marketing career.
The Spring Baking Championship star began baking professionally in 2020 following her recovery from breast cancer. Li trained at the San Francisco Baking Institute and now creates custom cakes for weddings, parties, and corporate events. She joined 12 other bakers, competing for $25,000. The show airs on Monday nights at 8 pm and features judges Duff Goldman, Kardea Brown, and Nancy Fuller.
Jamie Li transitions from corporate career to Spring Baking Championship
Trending
As per East Bay Times, Li had a 20-year career in sales and beauty marketing before things took an unexpected turn with her cancer diagnosis during pregnancy. While undergoing treatment, she found baking cakes helped maintain her mental focus and provided a creative outlet.
After medical procedures and recovery, the Spring Baking Championship star made a move to enhance her skills through professional training at the San Francisco Baking Institute. By 2020, Li launched her professional baking career. She built her reputation through an Instagram presence that caught attention for her custom cake designs.
Her technical skill and artistic vision culminated in winning the concept cake award at the prestigious National Pastry Conference in 2024, marking her arrival as a serious force in the baking world. The 2024 National Pastry Conference recognized her work with the Concept Cake of the Year award, adding professional validation to her growing reputation.
Spring Baking Championship journey
The first announcement of Jamie Li’s Spring Baking Championship participation came on March 4, 2025. She shared a post via her official Instagram account (@cakebyjamieli).
“Oh my! Here we go! I feel like I’ve lived so many different lives, each one leading me somewhere unexpected. But never did I imagine that my path would take me here—standing among some of the most talented bakers and pastry chefs, doing what I love, and turning sugar into art,” she wrote in the caption.
“Cake design wasn’t always in the plan, but somehow, it became my greatest passion. And now, finding myself on this stage, competing on Spring Baking Championship—it still feels unreal. A huge shoutout to my fellow bakers who have built friendships that will last a lifetime," she continued.
"I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything! I can’t wait to share this journey with you! The challenges, the creativity, the sweet and (maybe stressful!) moments—it’s all happening,” Li wrote.
The season kicked off with contestants meeting two distinct challenges. First, bakers created desserts with flower themes meant to showcase their individual styles. The challenge tested their abilities with flavor combinations, textures, and artistic presentation. Next, they tackled an intricate honey pie challenge that required advanced decoration skills.
Li advanced through both rounds, proving her talent alongside fellow Northern California competitors Paul Feybesse from Vallejo and Julian Perrigo-Jimenez from Folsom.
About competition
The Food Network's competition format presents bakers with strict time constraints and specific technical requirements. The show's current season incorporates unique themes, including a tribute to A Minecraft Movie through geometric dessert designs.
Bakers must execute complex tasks such as creating butterfly-shaped napoleons and three-layer cakes based on Marie Antoinette's distinctive hairstyles. The competition also features innovative elements like glow-in-the-dark ice cream cake bombs. Host Jesse Palmer guides contestants through each round as they work toward the season title.
Spring Baking Championship airs on Food Network's traditional cable channel, Max streaming platform, and Discovery+ service. Season 11 episode 5 is set to air on Monday, April 7, 2025.
