riends Cathy Burnheimer and Les
Polinko never dreamed they would bring
three judges to tears with their winning
creation on Food Network’s “Winner Cake All.”
The new Food Network series features four, two-person
baking teams who compete in a series of challenges. The
baking theme was the performance of “Broadway Princess
Party,” and three women from the production were judges
in addition to show host Giada de Laurentiis, Damiano
Carrara and Zac Young.
Burnheimer and Polinko created a cake in the shape of a
princess on a Broadway stage, dressed in a pale blue gown
with jewels and a sparkling tiara, holding a figurine.
A longtime Ohio Township resident, Burnheimer lives
with her husband Ben and three daughters. She is a self-
taught baker with a fully licensed in-home bakery, and
recently opened a gourmet popcorn production facility
in Sarver, where all products are wheat, egg, peanut and
tree-nut free. “I believe my business has done well because
I focus on two things—my cakes have to taste as good as
they look and I keep my business small, which allows me
to not only focus on maintaining a high quality level but
exceptional customer service as well,” she says.
Burnheimer started baking 13 years ago, shortly after
her 8-month-old daughter was diagnosed with life-
threatening food allergies to wheat, eggs and peanuts.
“I wanted to have an over-the-top cake for her first
birthday, but was not able to just order one due to her
allergies,” she recalls.
Burnheimer spends a lot of time with her clients to
ensure they get the design and flavors they are envisioning.
She’s been featured in several magazines, won best design
at the Forces of Nature event several years ago, and has
made some very prestigious cakes—including the NHL’s
100-year anniversary cake for the Pittsburgh Penguins,
which also appeared in a national commercial.
About eight years ago, Burnheimer met Polinko through
a mutual friend. “I was looking for a sculptor to create
custom, keepsake toppers for my clients,” she explains.
Polinko is a self-taught fantasy sculptor who discovered
polymer clay as a stay-at-home mom. She is an
internationally awarded sculptor and has been published
in many polymer clay books, blogs, collaborations and
journals. “Locally, in Sewickley, some know me as ‘The
Fairy Lady,’” she says. “I earned that title about six years
ago when Natasha Green found me at an arts festival
and asked if I could help her with a fairy project for
Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park. Since then I’ve
been volunteering every spring as the park’s official
Faeriologist!”
“
Honestly, Lesley is more like a
sister than a friend...We have an
amazing friendship based on trust,
positive energy and laughter.”
Polinko is also the president of the Pittsburgh Polymer
Clay Guild. You can find her sculptures at many local arts
festivals, iMadeit Markets and the Pittsburgh Renaissance
Fair throughout the year. “Now I can add Food Network
Champion to my highlight reel,” she says. “The funny
thing is, I don’t bake at all. In fact, I had only four days to
learn how to use modeling chocolate before flying to Los
Angeles to shoot the show. It was nerve wracking!”
“Honestly, Lesley is more like a sister than a friend,”
says Burnheimer. “We have an amazing friendship based
on trust, positive energy and laughter. I have so many
favorite memories, but the best was in L.A. filming
‘Winner Cake All.’ When we initially boarded the plane
in Pittsburgh, we agreed that everything we were going
to do over the next four days would be done in love and
gratitude and that is exactly what we did. There was so
much joy and laughter during those four days.” ■
Cathy Burnheimer (left) and Les Polinko with their
winning cake on Food Network’s “Winner Cake All.”
SEWICKLEY
❘
SPRING 2019
17