Campton Hills resident competes in 'The Greatest Baker' contest

Local baker Maria Luisa Herrera Romero runs Rainbow Magic World, a home-based bakery in Campton Hills, but she has already won five rounds of a heated worldwide online baking competition in "The Greatest Baker."

Fifty thousand initially entered the competition and 576 remain to compete for the chance to win $10,000 and a feature in Bake from Scratch magazine.

Herrera Romero is a quarter finalist and in the top 1% of the competition.

"Four years ago, I decided to bake my daughter's birthday cake and instantly fell in love with its ability to be a creative and therapeutic outlet. Baking felt magical and that feeling inspired the name of my bakery."

Her best recipes are her coconut cake and her lemon cake.

The online competition also serves as a fundraiser for the Andrew McDonough Foundation, a nonprofit for pediatric cancer.

"My aunt passed away from breast cancer. I'm proud to be part of a competition that funds childhood cancer research."

Contest competitors rely on votes from people in and outside their communities.

People can vote for her once every 24 hours for free, or more votes can be bought with donations. Visit greatestbaker.com/2022/maria-luisa-herrera-romero.

If she wins, she would use the prize to buy more baking supplies so she can teach classes. "My biggest wish is to share this dream with others. I want to inspire children to love baking."

"I am humbled by everyone who is voting for me and cheering me on. I am so grateful for your support."

The contest runs through Dec. 29.