With a background in art, local muralist Hayley Ferreira never imagined she'd get invited to be on the Food Network.
However, last July, she was contacted by show officials who came across her website and asked her to audition for the competition.
Each week, three teams of "cake designers, sugar artists and top specialty craftspeople" compete in a series of themed challenges, creating three-dimensional edible showpieces in just six hours. The winners receive a $15,000 prize.
"I've never competed in anything like this before," she said. "Everything was so quick and nothing dries."
Ferreira said the biggest challenge was battling against time. Despite having 13 years of art experience under her belt, she was only used to painting on walls, banners and other flat surfaces.
"Everything had to be edible. I've never worked with cake or sugar before."
She has worked for clients across the Bay Area and most recently had a art showing at MC Art Works on San Pablo Avenue.
For the episode Ferreira was in, the theme was "Dangers of the Deep." She said her team's ocean-inspired creation measured to be about 7 ft. high and 6 ft. wide.
"When you put that much work into something in such a short amount of time and then you see it done...I cried when I saw it," Ferreira said.
The show is expected to air on Saturday, March 2 at 1 p.m. ET/PT.
See more of Ferreira's work at her website, www.paintedbyhayley.com.
