BIG AL
BAKES
WITH
THE BEST
Monroeville’s Alex Portis
finds continued success
after participating in season
two of Food Network’s “Kids
Baking Championship.”
By Nicole Tafe
A
lex Portis’ favorite room in the
house is the kitchen. When just
four years old, he was at his “nana’s”
(Margaret Portis’) side as she cooked and
baked for family and friends. “I learned
what I know about cooking and baking
from my nana. She was a great cook and
baker, and I loved being in the kitchen with
her while she taught me her recipes.”
Alex, 13, who will be in eighth grade this
fall at Gateway Middle School, is the son of
Jeffrey and Audrey Portis and has two older
siblings, E and Oscar. He holds an orange
belt in Judo, is on the wrestling team at
school and is also a member of student
council.
When the television show “Kids Baking
Championship” premiered on Food
Network in 2015, Alex was hooked. He
watched the entire first season and when
it ended, he told his mom, “I think I can
do that!” They began to research what
was involved in auditioning for the show.
“When we saw the casting calls for season
two, I begged my mom to sign me up!”
After sending in an application, photos
and videos, Alex went through several
rounds of Skype interviews with the
casting agency and producers before finally
flying to Los Angeles for the final, live
audition.
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