Haubstadt woman wins Food Network's Worst Baker in America

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Melody Pfeffer wants people to know it's OK to make fun of yourself while improving your baking skills. All it takes is patience and laughter to become the worst baker in America. 

The Haubstadt woman's spunky personality, love for baking and baking mishaps landed her on a Food Network baking boot camp show, where she competed for $25,000 and won.

"You're never too old to pick up something new and spread joy to other people," she said. "It's OK to be bad at something... you can still laugh about it."

Pfeffer was one of eight contestants featured on Food Network’s Worst Bakers in America. The Food Network reality show ran for four weeks and the season finale was broadcasted last month. 

She won the contest after whipping up three desserts: key-lime pie, macaroons and honey citrus cake. The first time she made macaroons — which landed her on the show — was an epic fail. The last time was a success, she said. 

"It was a lifetime experience that I will never forget," Pfeffer said. "One of the things on my bucket list for the longest time was to be on a reality show. I was a bad baker at that time and thought I could kill two birds with one stone. It was very stressful at times, but I overcame it. I came out of it knowing that in the most stressful situation, I can do anything with God. God will help me through any challenge I face. I want others to know that too."

Prior to appearing on the show, Pfeffer's desserts were left untouched by her church and family members. She said it was a running joke to not eat her food. 

"I've never been able to bake and people know that," she said. "Everybody knows that. My family and people at my church won't touch my stuff. I would bring things to fundraisers and people would (jokingly) tell me 'oh my gosh Melody, don't make that.'"

Contestants flew to New York City in May to film the show for nearly three weeks. In order to be named the worst baker in America, one of the contestants had to be the last baker standing showing the most improvement in their baking skills. 

"The experience was absolutely amazing," Pfeffer said. "Not only did I learn from two of the most amazing bakers, but I don't consider myself the worst baker anymore. I actually bake a lot more now and have more confidence in my skills."

Now that the season is over, her peers and family members want her to bake more things. With her $25,000 reward, Pfeffer bought a new oven, KitchenAid mixer and an island bar for space. 

"I've gotten a lot of requests since I've come back, and it's keeping me pretty busy," she said. "They're requesting my key-lime pie. I have more confidence because I know I have to be more precise in what I'm doing. I have new tools so I can continue to become a better baker."

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