Jamie Li: From Cancer Survivor to Spring Baking Championship Star
Jamie Li, a talented baker based in San Mateo and a courageous stage 2 breast cancer survivor, has captivated audiences as a contestant in the 11th season of Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship, which debuted on March 10, 2025. Reflecting on her journey, Jamie shared that she was approached by Food Network to participate in the competition and, after thoughtful consideration, embraced the opportunity.
“The stars aligned and here we are. It’s a pretty wild journey,”Li expressed in an interview with NBC Bay Area on March 15, 2025.
She elaborated on her initial hesitations:
“I looked at that email for… about a good month before I responded… I thought to myself, am I actually going to do this? Am I going to put myself out there?… it’s once in a lifetime… When I’m 80 years old, am I going to look back thinking, ‘Oh, is that something I wish I should have done?'”
Prior to her show participation, Jamie garnered attention by winning the concept cake award at the 2024 National Pastry Conference. As a mother of three, she operates a bespoke cake business from her home, specializing in custom desserts for weddings and corporate events.
Local Competition and Dynamic Challenges
In Spring Baking Championship, Jamie finds herself competing alongside fellow Northern California bakers, Paul Feybesse from Vallejo and Julian Perrigo-Jimenez from Folsom. Judged by industry luminaries such as Duff Goldman, Kardea Brown, and Nancy Fuller, contestants face a variety of challenges, including crafting both flower-themed desserts and creations inspired by the popular game Minecraft.
A Journey Rooted in Resilience
Jamie’s passion for baking emerged during a pivotal moment in her life when she received a cancer diagnosis while pregnant with her first child. After a successful 20-year career in marketing, she discovered the therapeutic benefits of baking. In her NBC Bay Area interview, she discussed how this transition came about:
“I did bake quite a few cakes during cancer treatment. It really kept my mind off of things. It kept me calm, it kept me focused on things. Before I went back to work, I decided I’m going to take a baking course, just kind of see what’s going on and see if I like it. And here I am now,” she said.
Following her recovery, Jamie pursued formal training at the San Francisco Baking Institute, which was a significant step in her professional journey. By 2020, she launched her baking career and began to gain recognition, eventually winning accolades at the 2024 National Pastry Conference.
Culinary Business Development
Jamie’s home-based cake business thrives on her ability to create unique designs that resonate with her clients’ stories. Sharing her enthusiasm for baking, she noted:
“My favorite part of the entire process is designing the cake and telling my client’s story through cake… One of my favorite things when it comes to baking is developing a flavor for the client.”
Stepping into the competition kitchen for the first time was a memorable experience for Jamie, as she described it:
“Walking into the kitchen was amazing. It’s everything that you see on television. It’s big. It has every ingredient that you could possibly imagine, but it was also nerve-wracking because you’re walking onto this set with 12 other bakers who are just as talented.”
Facing First Episode Challenges
The premiere of Spring Baking Championship presented contestants with two demanding challenges. The first task involved crafting a flower-themed dessert that reflected their personal style and technical skills, while the second challenge required intricate decoration of a honey pie.
Distinct from Jamie’s usual home kitchen, the competition setting boasted a well-organized filming environment with multiple cooking stations and an expansive pantry of ingredients. Contestants had to make quick decisions regarding flavor combinations and design elements under the pressure of time constraints.
Follow Jamie Li’s Journey
For those interested in following Jamie Li’s baking adventure, she shares her culinary creations on Instagram at @cakebyjamieli.