Wichita Wednesday (Aug 12th) - Stefanie Younkin

Wichita Wednesday (Aug 19th) - Stefanie Younkin

 Tell us a little about yourself.My name is Stefanie and I am a Registered Veterinary Technician at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Caring for animals of all shapes and sizes is my passion. I currently have 3 dogs and a tortoise at home. My biggest hobby is baking. Mini cupcakes are probably my favorite to make (quick and easy but still can be fun)! Recently, I have been making birthday cakes for some of our zoo animals out of their diet/enrichment items, it's super fun. Seeing the animals enjoy the extra enrichment makes me smile.When and why did you start baking/decorating? I have been baking since I was a kid with my Grama and also my mom. I think the first big birthday cake I made by myself was my sisters 21st birthday cake (about 10 years ago). I started because it was something fun to do and I LOVE sweets.Who has been the most influential person to you when it comes to baking/ decorating?My mom, when we were kids she made and decorated all of our childhood birthday cakes. She's a great baker/decorator! She's my go-to with any questions and advice I need when baking. Also my Grama was a big influencer, whenever I was over at her house we would always be baking something! I like to use her recipe books when I am in the mood to bake something randomly.What is one Cake Stuff item you cannot live without?The sprinkles!! I absolutely love all of the mixes and options! There's something for every occasion.If you could bake/decorate with anyone famous who would it be? Probably Jonathan or Antoni from Queer Eye. Jonathan is so over the top with excitement and positivity he would make me feel awesome even if my baking was a disaster! I can just hear him yelling 'YAASSSSS' and clapping for me as I go along building my cake!Do you have a local baking business, or do you just bake/decorate for fun?I currently just do it for fun. I love doing birthday treats/smash cakes as gifts for friends and their kids!