Sweet Victory: GA Baker Wins Food Network's 'Cookie Challenge'

CARTERSVILLE, GA — No one outbaked Cartersville native Jo Nunez on Food Network's "Christmas Cookie Challenge."

Competitors were tasked with creating Christmas-inspired caped crusaders, villains and superhero vehicles.

With a clean sweep, winning both rounds, Nunez took home the $10,000 grand prize and the Golden Ornament. She is the owner of Goodies and Grace Dessert Boutique in Cartersville.

Nunez also received an additional $1,000, bakeware and a special advantage for winning the first round with her fairy snowmother and supervillain.

Ultimately, judges Eddie Jackson and Ree Drummond were impressed with the pink isomalt helicopter she created for the fairy snowmother and declared her the winner of the superhero-themed episode.

Her mom may have taught her how to bake treats, but Nunez led her bakery to national TV.

Just a year in, Goodies and Grace opened on Nov. 25, 2023 at 650 Henderson Drive.

Nunez has always whipped up cookies and cakes, but she decided to step out on faith and open her brick-and-mortar last year.

Her bakery menu includes the gourmet cake flavors of hummingbird, strawberry, carrot, coconut, German chocolate and pink champagne. Traditional signature flavors such as chocolate and vanilla are available.

Gluten-free options and cookies by the dozens are also offered at the bakery.

Sure, Nunez could have utilized her biology degree from the University of Georgia to craft a career, but she told Patch that baking holds her heart.

"Any time you’re with the community, you have food, and it just brings people together," Nunez told Patch in an interview Wednesday. "… I just really want to bring awesome experiences to people."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was able to save money by selling cookie kits. That is when she chose to quit her job and take on baking full-time.

After studying under a pastry chef in France, Nunez brought her teachings back to the States and began importing authentic French flour and butter to create French brioche and croissants.

"At my shop, you can have a luxury experience," she said.

It was a Facebook post that landed Nunez on Food Network's radar. She said a producer on the show put out a call on the social media site for cookie decorators.

The producer asked Nunez to apply for "Christmas Cookie Challenge" after a friend saw the producer's post and mentioned her name, she said.

Nunez has had massive dreams, but she said appearing on Food Network was not a possibility for her. She had never seen the show, but she said she binged episodes of it in preparation for her debut.

"It’s been really cool to see how God has done things that I didn’t really plan for," she said.

She was able to network with other bakers from across the country while competing.

While on "Christmas Cookie Challenge," Nunez said she experienced craziness and stress but tons of fun - including with the hosts.

Drummond was kind and complimentary, while Jackson's facial expressions were hilarious.

"It was really great to meet them," Nunez said. "They are quite the duo. They fit well together."

So what is next for this Food Network contest winner?

Well, after the Christmas season, Nunez said she plans to get married in January and take a month off of work before returning to plan for the future of her shop.

She wants to continue offering cupcake classes, birthday parties, cookie classes and other events at the bakery.

"I’m not looking to expand, I’m just looking to perfect," Nunez said. "I always strive to give the best to the people walking through the door. ... We have the most beautiful bakery in Georgia."

She added she loves to bring people the best and said God has blessed her with several amazing things.

To aspiring bakers, Nunez shared words of encouragement.

"The Lord has a way of giving you things that you never thought were possible," she said. "His math is not our math. His time is not our time. He operates on a completely different scale in every regard. You can never give up on the dream that He put in your heart."

Nunez will hold a watch party for the "Christmas Cookie Challenge" at 7 p.m. Friday at Faith Methodist Church Cartersville, 501 Grassdale Road.

Donation tickets for the event are being sold for $10, and proceeds will benefit the Etowah College Scholarship Fund. They can be purchased via Goodies and Grace.

Then, from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Santa Claus, donning pink attire, will visit Goodies and Grace for photos.