Local baker will be featured on ‘Food Network’ competition this month

Alex Copeland, owner of Plenty O’Cookies, knows how to mix pleasure with business – it’s evident that he adores what he does, and his positive attitude, ambition, and artistic skills have earned him a spot (for the second time) on Food Network’s Cookie Challenge.

In 2019, Copeland made it in the top 3 of the Christmas Cookie Challenge, and they invited him back to apply for the Halloween edition. “I was excited that they asked me to do it again,” he said. “I never thought I’d be able to do something like this.” He’s one of four chosen for this competition.

Copeland could be considered an unconventional baker for many reasons. First, he operates out of his fully renovated basement (Certified Kitchen inspected and approved of course!) that he’s designed to look straight out of a Food Network cooking show, often used as a backdrop to his hilarious, inspirational videos he posts on his social media.

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And second, Copeland often dresses and bakes cookies in drag – unapologetically. “A big part of my business is visibility – representation matters. I want to show that drag is a wonderful art form, just as much as my cookie decorating is,” emphasized Copeland.

This cottage bakery specializes in custom cookie and cake orders as well as community pop-ups for now, but Copeland is hoping that one day, a storefront or wholesale orders will be in the works. 

As for the Halloween Cookie Challenge episode that airs on September 25th at 10pm, Copeland can’t give away any spoilers, but he said that he was “as prepared as I could be!” This episode involves 4 home bakers competing for a $10,000 prize.

Alex Copeland remains humble, appreciative, and determined. “I’m so lucky…I love what I do…I love that I get to do all the things I love doing, like drag and baking cookies, and I feel lucky to share that with a broader audience. I love putting myself out there and showing the LGBTQ community that there are people out there like them who can be successful,” Copeland noted.

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