"I like when you taste something and it takes you on a journey." Jen Barney, multi FoodNetwork baking champion.Jen Barney grew up on a farm in Stoddard Wisconsin. Unsurprisingly, most of her ingredients are a nod to local dairy farms and products from Wisconsin. But these are not basic potluck cupcakes. Her baked goods are described as Ridiculously Awesome Desserts. Learn about how she didn't believe the person calling her to ask that she compete on the Food Network the first time. Find out why connections matter to this sweet and brilliant baker. Hear about her bakery beginnings with stocking her goodies at a local coffee house and baking in her home basement. Barney's story as a pastry chef has been loosely featured in a non-fiction novel series by Amanda Zieba. She thanks her wonderful hubby for his photography and tech skills to help run the business which is now the brick-and-mortar "Meringue Bakery and Cafe" in historic downtown La Crosse Wisconsin.From Canada to New Orleans to Vegas (in no particular order) we get to hear the inside track to being on a network food contest show. What are the prizes?Do people get along?Does everyone eat all the cakes?One of a kind wedding cakes with hand painted designs and flecks of gold. Why not?This show is ala mode style, without the calories.