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Orchard Park teacher taking baking skills to the Food Network

Brian Muffoletto, a second-grade teacher at Eggert Elementary, will compete in the "Christmas Cookie Challenge" Monday night.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — An Orchard Park teacher's talent for creating colorful cookies is taking him all the way to the Food Network. 

Brian Muffoletto is a second-grade teacher at Eggert Elementary in Orchard Park School. He is also one half of the home-based bakery business "The Bakers Men Buffalo." During the COVID shutdowns in March, he and his partner spent time perfecting their sugar cookie recipe, and now he'll be showcasing his skills on the "Christmas Cookie Challenge."

Back in January, a Food Network casting agent reached out to them on Instagram about appearing on this season of the show. In August, Brian flew to New Orleans to tape an episode. It pits five bakers from across the country against each other in a series of timed baking challenges.

"We're baking right beside one another, timer's ticking, the pressure of it all, and when they asked how could you handle the pressure, I said listen, I'm an elementary school teacher," he told 2 On Your Side. "I can handle pressure, I can handle stress. I can be flexible.  So I think that was a selling point of why they casted me as well."

There's a $10,000 dollar prize for the winner of the episode. Brian says if he wins he wants to expand the business into sugar cookie classes and selling in farmers markets

The episode airs Monday, November 16 at 10 p.m. on the Food Network.

You can follow the Bakers Men of Buffalo on Instagram here, and check out their full website here

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