Michele Kenno

After raising two daughters and spending 18 years in the financial services industry, Michele was ready for a change. The desire to combine artistic talent with an appreciation for gourmet food led her to L'Academie de Cuisine's Pastry Arts program, and she graduated with distinction in 2004. She went on to open CakeDreams bakery in Rockville, MD, where she specialized in custom wedding and celebration cakes. Michele also created a thriving cupcake following, and her unique creations resulted in her becoming a two-time winner of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars.

She also competed on the Food Network's Sweet Genius, and CakeDreams was a destination on the Food Network's "On the Road." Michele's wedding cakes and cupcakes earned her several annual Bride's Choice awards on Wedding Wire, Best Wedding Cakes in D.C. and Best Chocolate Cake in D.C. by CBSDC, Top 15 Cupcakes in America by Kitchen Daily, and features in The Knot and Maryland Weddings magazines.

Currently she is very active in dog rescue and spends most of her free time volunteering at her local animal shelter to help end homelessness of companion pets.