Koku started off by trying out recipes his mom would find. She brought a cookbook home one day and he would make recipes from it. Since that time, Koku would look up YouTube tutorials and do trial error baking. Koku enjoys baking for his friends and loved ones, which helped him grow as a person and as a baker. His specialty before becoming a winning chocolate chip cookie baker, was millionaire shortbread.

Here is what Koku had to say about his cookie recipe development: “I had a lot of fun developing this recipe! I did a lot of research on what makes a chocolate chip cookie a true chocolate chip cookie. Most recipes rely on the same basic ingredients, but I wanted to see how far I could take those fundamentals—I put miso for depth, toasted sugar for complexity, and a touch of bourbon for warmth. I’m happy that I found something that my friends and I enjoyed, and thankfully, the judges at the Columbus Cookie Classic did as well. I hope you can make this recipe and further iterate it to fit what you like best in a chocolate chip cookie!”

Joseph learned to bake from his mom as a teenager when he asked his mom to teach him to make scones so Joseph could have them whenever he wanted. He continued to level up with a lot of reading and trial and error, and 20 years later, baking has slowly but steadily grown into an obsessive passion for him. Throughout his baking journey, he’s taken on everything from cookies and pies to crème brûlée and macarons. His favorite things to make are cookies and steak!

Here is what he said about being a part of the Columbus Cookie Classic: “I loved this event and already can't wait for next year. It was great meeting so many people who also get way too obsessed with cookies and details like what type of chocolate to use. I loved all the variety to the cookies. One of the best things about chocolate chip cookies is how many different styles they can take on.”

Hannah is a self-taught baker who loves finding new recipes on social media, reading cookbooks, and just playing around in the kitchen. She's currently into reading old cookbooks to see how the recipes stand the test of time.

Here’s what she said about being a part of the Columbus Cookie Classic: “I absolutely loved being part of this inaugural community event with fellow friends and bakers. Spending the afternoon surrounded by good people, good treats, and good vibes is an absolutely delightful way to increase joy in our world.”