Kyra Johnson

Founder of Kyra’s Bake Shop

Kyra Johnson is the owner and head baker of Kyra's Bake Shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon, a 100 percent gluten-free and celiac-safe bakery. Diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder in her early 20s that left her unable to eat many of her favorite foods, Kyra graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu's patisserie program and opened her bakery in 2010, determined to make gluten-free desserts that no one would call a compromise. She is the only four-time winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, competing each time as the sole gluten-free baker in the field, and the author of Sweet Cravings: 50 Seductive Desserts for a Gluten-Free Lifestyle. Follow her on Instagram at @kyrasbakeshop.

Traci Hozie-Alderson

Co-founder of Brown Butter Cookie Company

Traci Hozie-Alderson is the co-founder of the Brown Butter Cookie Company, the Central Coast bakery behind the original Brown Butter Sea Salt shortbread cookie. She spent her early career in the beauty industry before opening a specialty food shop with her sister, Christa, which they later decided to set aside so they could focus on cookies. They launched the Brown Butter Cookie Company in 2008 and now run three stores in central California. Traci is known for the philosophy that guides every decision she makes: every little thing matters. Follow them on Instagram @brownbuttercookiecompany.

Rose Wilde

Chef, cake artist, and cookbook author

Rose Wilde is a Los Angeles–based chef, writer, and co-host of The Kitchen Tape podcast. She is the author of Bread and Roses: 100+ Grain Forward Recipes featuring Global Ingredients and Botanicals, which was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Bon Appétit and the Los Angeles Times. Her second cookbook, Tiny Cakes, will be released in Spring 2027. Known for her work with whole grains, fermentation, and botanicals, Rose launched her bakery, Red Bread, in 2011, earning awards for Best New Bakery, Best Cookie, Best Pie, Best Cake, and Best Bagel. She has since led pastry and bread programs at acclaimed Los Angeles restaurants including Manuela, Rustic Canyon, Rossoblu, and Mother Wolf. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Bon Appétit, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Edible, Cherry Bombe, KCRW, NPR, The Splendid Table, and the Cooking Channel. Follow her on Instagram at @trosewilde.