Competitors & Judges

The arts are fundamental to a rich and meaningful education, fostering critical thinking, self-expression, and personal growth while cultivating a community that values creativity in all its forms. The culinary arts are no exception. We are proud to have showcased some of Edmonton’s finest chefs and are excited to continue collaborating with the exceptional culinary talent our city has to offer.

We welcome professional chefs and passionate home bakers to join the Highlands School Culinary Arts Cook-Off! Whether you lead a bustling kitchen or create magic at your own kitchen table, your talent and creativity have a place at our event. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your signature flavours, connect with the community, and support a meaningful cause. By sharing your time and culinary skills, you’ll help raise essential funds for student arts, athletics, and enriched learning—while being part of a fun, spirited celebration of Edmonton’s vibrant food scene.

Why should I compete?

You should compete because it’s an opportunity to showcase your creativity and talent while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Cook-Off offers strong local exposure, connects you with new audiences and potential customers, and positions you as a leader who supports public education and youth development.

Beyond visibility, you’ll be part of a fun, high-energy event that celebrates culinary artistry and friendly competition—all while helping raise essential funds that directly benefit students through enhanced arts programming, athletics, and enriched learning opportunities. It’s a chance to share what you love, challenge yourself creatively, and give back in a way that truly matters. Cookies are prepared off-site and sold at the event for $2 each. Sign up now to test your culinary skills!

How do I sign up?

Review the Participant Registration Package and submit your registration using the:

— online Google form: 2026 Competitor Registration Form
— OR download the Participant Registration Package and mail the completed form to: Highlands School, c/o Cookie Off Competitor Liaison, 6015 118 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5W 4C2

Want to discuss collaboration opportunities? Please reach out to our Event Liaison at highlandsparentsociety@gmail.com.

Announcing our 2026 Competitors

We're absolutely thrilled to begin announcing our official competitors! Check back often as registrations are rolling in!

🍪 Backstairs Burger (Chef Levi Biddlecombe) - Chef Levi has been cooking for 16 years in Edmonton. He has competed on Food Network's Chopped Canada and Fire Master, as well as the Great Kitchen Party eight times. He has owned a food truck and a fine dining restaurant, and he is currently the culinary mind behind Backstairs Burger. Follow Levi and Backstairs Burger on Instagram to see their amazing eats!
🍪 BFF Cookie Club (Haddie & Esme) - Best friends and Grade 3 students at Highlands School, this dynamic duo is bringing big smiles and even bigger baking energy to this year’s Cookie-Off! Haddie and Esme are all about fun, creativity, and teamwork—pouring their hearts into every cookie they make. Don’t let their age fool you—they’re ready to impress!
🍪 Highlands Alumni (Berlin Anderson, Aiden Hammermeister, & Rhyan Vercholuk) - Three best friends who met at Highlands Jr. High, graduated in 2022 and have stayed close. Competing in the Cookie-Off as a team for the 4th year.
🍪 Purple Penguins (EAs and Admin Assistants from Highlands School) - Born during the 2025 strike, their nickname came from bundling up in CUPE 3550 purple and braving the coldest Arctic weather together, waddling the picket line in solidarity. What started as a tough chapter turned into something special: a tight-knit crew with a whole lot of heart. Now they’re trading picket signs for baking sheets and bringing that same teamwork to the cookie-off!
🍪 Mom's Garage (Burgess Family) - Led by Highlands mom Lyndsey Burgess, a familiar face at the Cookie-Off, this team brings both experience and heart to the competition. Lyndsey was part of the award-winning Sugar Mamas duo, who took home Kids’ Choice, Judges’ Choice, and Most Creative last year — no big deal. This year, she’s back with her family by her side, sharing her love of baking with the next generation. Together, they’re mixing up more than just cookies — they’re creating memories (and maybe a little friendly competition along the way).
🍪 Cookie Monsters (Fiona, Rylee, Lili, Jael, Khiana, & Evie) - A spirited team of talented students from Highlands School who are ready to show that big baking skills come in small (but mighty) packages! Armed with creativity, teamwork, and a serious love of cookies, these young bakers are bringing their A-game to the Cookie-Off. Don’t let the name fool you — they’re not just here to eat cookies… they’re here to win! With enthusiasm, imagination, and plenty of chocolate chips, The Cookie Monsters are proof that the next generation of great bakers is already rising.
🍪 Little Sweets Co. (Kirsten McTavish) - A home-based bakery serving Sherwood Park and the surrounding area, specializing in homemade treats baked with care. With food-handler certification and a passion for sharing sweet creations, they offer fresh cookies and other baked goods made with love and attention to detail—perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. Follow Little Sweets Co. on Facebook and Instagram to see their delicious creations.

Our Emcee

We’re delighted to welcome our emcee, Mark Connolly. A trusted voice in Edmonton for decades, Mark spent 46 years in broadcasting, including 36 years with CBC, where many listeners came to know him as the longtime host of Edmonton AM. Over his career he has covered everything from local stories to 12 Olympic Games, always bringing curiosity, warmth, and a deep love for the community to the microphone. Today, Mark continues to share that voice as an event host and storyteller—and we’re especially grateful for his longtime support of the Cookie-Off since its very beginning. Please join us in welcoming Mark Connolly! Follow Mark on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Our Auctioneer

Larry Romaniuk, professional auctioneer and long-time cook-off supporter, runs the live bidding on collaborative art projects created by Highlands students and staff. It's incredible to see him in action, sharing the starting prices, chanting the changes and exciting the bidders to maximize bids. It's electric!

Our 2026 Judges

We are very happy to present the judging panel for the 2026 Cookie-off: Linda Hoang (content creator, social media influencer & social media strategist), Cindy Huynh (Cook with Chopsticks Blogger & Food Photographer), Phil Wilson a.k.a. Baconhound (food writer, radio columnist for CBC Edmonton, & head food judge for the Edmonton Heritage Festival), Jon Timms (Photographer), and Kathy Prosser (local artist, avid baker & co-owner of Be-a-Bella Candy & Gifts).

The 2025 Competitors

We are proud to announce that we had 15 Cookie-Off competitors on April 12, 2025! These incredibly generous and talented chefs created, donated and sold their yummy cookie creations, and then presented them to our wonderful judges. Our panel of guest judges and Highlands School student judges awarded Judges' Choice, Kids' Choice, and Most Creative. The general public cast their votes for the People's Choice award.

Please generously applaud:

— Smart Cookies - Violet, Claudia, Sarah & Lily *former Highlands students
— Ty-Ann Byers
— Highlands Adult Inclusion Alliance - Bri, Dana & Mel
— Sugar Mamas - Lyndsey Burgess & Chef Erica Box *Returning competitor
— Crinkle Mingle - Sharifah Usman
— The Old Red Barn - Chef Tyson Wright
— Strada Coffee Company & Artisan Bakery - Chef Madison Huseby
— Little Kitchen Academy - Chef Mary Eun
— Confetti Sweets - Kathy Leskow
— Theresa Yaremchuk *Returning competitor
— NAIT, Culinary Arts - Michelle Hyunh *Returning competitor
— Little Bird Baking - Abby Reimer *2024 Judges' Choice Winner
— Mama Jo’s Kitchen - Joanne Landmark *Returning competitor
— Highlands Alumni - Kit Anderson, Aiden Hammermiester & Rhyan Vercholuk *Returning competitors
— Paperbirch by Chartrand - Chef Shane Chartrand *2022 Most Creative Winner