MESA KIDS
COMING SOON
MESA, A Collaborative Kitchen
will soon have a kid-friendly
counterpart. MESA KIDS, 154 E.
Main St. in New Albany, opens
this summer and is specifically
designed just for kids who want
to learn how to bake and cook
(or better their current skills).
Features include classes and
summer camps taught by
culinary experts, as well as
birthday parties and a unique
Black Coat Program geared
toward young chefs who are
super serious about developing
their culinary techniques and
talents. Learn more about MESA
KIDS at mesakidscookingschool.
com and @mesakidscookingschool
on Facebook.
SWEET SKILLS
I’ve ever had.”
“This entire competition, you’ve just been
consistently in the top,” added Adrienne Holland
of Adrienne & Co. Bakery and Café at the finale.
“You’ve really been knocking it out of the park. I
love your no-nonsense approach.”
Lydia listened intently, her face serious, as the
judges then suggested she slightly lessen her use
of bold flavors with a whipped cream filling to
stave off overpowering tastes and use the most
of her time since she was first to finish.
Anxiously, the three girls lined up against
the counter as Liz and Adrienne prepared to
announce the champion: “And the winner of
MESA, A Collaborative Kitchen’s first annual Kids
Baking Competition is Lydia!” said Adrienne, as
guests applauded.
“Waiting for the results, that was nerve-
wracking,” admitted Lydia, though there was
another moment during the contest that was a bit
stressful, too. “In the donut round and my oven
wasn’t working. But then (the judges) decided
to give everyone an extra 20 minutes. That was
probably real nerve-wracking.”
In addition to winning a feature in these pages
of Extol, a $100 gift card to MESA KIDS and a tote
with baking goodies, Lydia will be the guest of
honor at the Extol Magazine launch party hosted
by MESA 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 21. She’ll debut
Photo courtesy Jose Morones Vergara
84 EXTOL : JUNE/JULY 2018
“YOUR OATMEAL
COOKIES – THOSE
WERE THE MOST
WONDERFUL COOKIES
I’VE EVER HAD.”
–CHEF LIZ MARTINO TO 13-YEAR-OLD
BAKER LYDIA SPRIGLER, WINNER OF
MESA, A COLLABORATIVE KITCHEN’S
FIRST-EVER KIDS BAKING COMPETITION
her winning cupcake at the free, family-friendly
event, which will also include appetizers by a
local chef and plenty of giveaways.
The best part, said Lydia, was “having my friends
and family there and also practicing it and letting
the judges taste what I was making.” But, she
added, “winning the competition was fun too.”
For mom, though, it was more than fun. “I
ways knew she’s had a creative outlet in her,” said
Adrienne Sprigler. “Along the way, she always
wanted to help in the kitchen. She’s always wanted
to bake and decorate cupcakes and cookies. So,
what (this competition) has done is its fueled a
fire. It’s highlighted something she has a knack
for. Who knows what’s coming next because she’s
just started.”