Embree emerged victorious among 12 talented bakers, pastry chefs, and cooks, earning the top title on the Gordon Ramsay–led series, judged by Ramsay alongside Candace Nelson and Carla Hall. Her win officially marks her as the inaugural champion of the franchise’s premiere season.
“My hope is that this is just an encouragement to women and home bakers and people who have an idea or want to start a business,” Embree said following her win. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but you can do it. Find your support systems, believe in yourself, trust in God, and chase your dreams.”
For her final challenge, Embree was tasked with creating an ambitious three-tiered cake, with each tier showcasing a different flavor profile. Her winning performance earned her a $25,000 cash prize along with a HexClad prize package.
To celebrate the milestone, Embree is offering cupcakes inspired by her winning cake flavors at OKC Sweets, located at 7306 N. Western Ave., on Friday, December 19.
The baker marked the moment by hosting a watch party with family and friends for the season finale. Even before the winner was announced, Embree said the overwhelming support from her community made the night unforgettable.
“I’m just so grateful for my community, my family, and my friends,” she said. “These are people who truly care about my family. It’s a huge honor, and I’m incredibly thankful.”
Unlike many of her competitors, Embree entered the competition without a formal culinary school background. A self-taught home baker, she leaned into her unique journey and experience throughout the competition, trusting both her instincts and her faith.
The series places contestants in kitchens modeled after the multi-level format made popular by Next Level Chef, ranging from a fully stocked top kitchen to the more challenging basement level.
“When I was in the basement, it felt like the worst of the worst,” Embree recalled. “But I had to choose joy regardless of what I’d been given. I let everything go and focused on the fact that I was there, baking, and doing my best. Where I was didn’t matter.”
From Home Baker to National Champion
A mother of four, Embree began her baking career at home, gradually building a strong online following before taking a leap of faith. In 2019, she sold her home and signed a lease to pursue her dream full time, officially opening OKC Sweets in June 2020—right in the midst of the pandemic.
Now approaching its sixth year in business, OKC Sweets has grown a loyal customer base and nearly 55,000 followers across social media. Despite the success, Embree says the journey has been anything but easy.
“My whole story has been made up of leaps of faith,” she said.
The challenges of launching a bakery during COVID were further intensified when one of Embree’s children faced a serious illness that lasted nearly a year, requiring her to shift focus away from the business.
Through it all, she credits her team for helping sustain the bakery’s culture and success.
“I have an incredible manager and a beautiful team,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to create an atmosphere of joy and positivity. Everyone works hard, but we encourage each other, we talk, and we genuinely enjoy being together.”
About OKC Sweets
OKC Sweets is a locally owned boutique bakery offering cookies, cakes, cupcakes, macarons, and more. Located near Nichols Hills at 7306 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City, the bakery also provides cake decorating and baking classes, specialty preorders, and custom desserts.
OKC Sweets is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
