Riley Moodry is the 21-year-old owner of RileyCakes. For the past five years, she has been making custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and pastries, then posting the results to more than 20,000 Instagram followers. She baked as a kid, but her real start came at Young Chefs Academy, where an instructor asked the 14-year-old whether she wanted to be a chef. She attended the International Culinary Arts & Sciences Institute, where she helped chefs run public cooking classes. She is bringing her colorful brand to Kirtland in November, where she will be opening a vintage-styled brick-and-mortar bakery.
Madelyn Varela is a cheesemonger, ACS Certified Cheese Professional, and creator behind Cheezy Talk with Madelyn. She makes approachable, entertaining content about cheese, food, and culinary travel, bringing nearly a decade of industry experience to everything from cheese education and pairings to discovering the stories behind the cheese we eat.
THE HOSTS
Emily Pentecost is the creator and founder of @thingsivebeeneating, a Cleveland-based food, travel, and hospitality platform dedicated to sharing the best bites, experiences, and stories from around Ohio and beyond. With a background spanning more than eight years in the hospitality industry and a degree in business administration and marketing, Emily brings a unique perspective that combines her passion for food with her experience in marketing, events, and social media.
Vic Gideon is an award-winning reporter for CBS affiliate in Cleveland @cleveland19, and a fan of independent film, alternative music, and adroit with a fungo bag.
Emily Pentecost is the creator and founder of @thingsivebeeneating, a Cleveland-based food, travel, and hospitality platform dedicated to sharing the best bites, experiences, and stories from around Ohio and beyond. With a background spanning more than eight years in the hospitality industry and a degree in business administration and marketing, Emily brings a unique perspective that combines her passion for food with her experience in marketing, events, and social media.
Through @thingsivebeeneating, Emily has built a dedicated community across social media by showcasing local restaurants, chefs, food trends, and culinary experiences. Now working full-time as a content creator and business owner, she has partnered with national and local brands while continuing to champion the Cleveland food scene and the people behind it.