Wylie High Senior Makes State Fair of Texas History With “Best in Show” Win

For the first time in Wylie ISD history, and in State Fair of Texas history, a high school student has earned the top honor in the Fair’s Chocolate Baking Competition. Wylie High School Senior, Caden Zeltner, prepared an incredible flourless chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce that wowed the judges and left the crowd cheering.

“When they announced his name, the crowd erupted!” said Wylie High Culinary Arts Teacher, Chef Emily Guynes. “It was like a scene from a movie. Everyone was so pumped! I am so proud!”

The State Fair’s annual baking competition draws talented chefs and hobby bakers from across Texas, but this year, it was Zeltner, a high school culinary student, who took home the coveted Best in Show title, standing out among adult professionals and experienced competitors alike.

When asked what first drew him to baking, Zeltner smiled.

“I’ve loved to cook and bake since I was around five years old,” he said.

He credits much of his growth to his experiences in Wylie High School’s Culinary Program and to Chef Guynes’ mentorship.

“I’d say my Culinary Practicum teacher, Chef Guynes, has been my biggest support and influencer on my current skills and aspirations,” Zeltner said.

Winning such a historic award has been both exciting and humbling for the Wylie senior.

“It feels great to know I did something different than other people,” he said.

While Zeltner doesn’t plan to pursue a culinary career, his passion for food will always have a place in his life.

“I want to start a family after college and a two-year religious mission,” he said. “I also want to be a firefighter, but I’ll still be cooking and baking throughout the rest of my life.”

And for other Wylie ISD students chasing their own passions, Zeltner offered this advice:

“Work hard for your passions. One of my biggest reasons to push through challenges and become a better cook is to provide for my future family. Find a reason behind your passion. When it gets hard, think about that reason and use it as momentum for your next big step.”

Zeltner’s accomplishment joins a growing list of successes from Wylie ISD’s Culinary Arts program. Senior Sammie Kenney, Wylie East alumna Haylee Wilson, and Wylie High alumna Isabelle Hargrove also earned spots in the 2025 Creative Arts Cookbook for their award-winning recipes last year.

Congratulations to Zeltner, Chef Guynes, and the entire Wylie High Culinary Arts program for making Wylie ISD and State Fair of Texas history!

You can see more photos from the event in this Google Photos album.