Lakes Baker Strikes Gold with Double Blue Ribbons at Pinal County Fair!

Barbara Miller, affectionately known as “Barb the Baker,” has enjoyed notable success at the Pinal County Fair, bringing home two blue ribbons for her baking talents. Miller’s creations, her lemon chip blueberry craisin cookies and Biscoff cookies, secured first and second places, respectively, in the cookie competition held from March 12 to 16.

Judges also recognized her baking prowess in the pie category, awarding her Biscoff chiffon pie a gold medal. Baking is more than just a hobby for Miller; it also serves as a fulfilling side hustle.

While preparing a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies in her Maricopa kitchen, she expressed her delight in baking. Upon moving to Maricopa two years ago, Miller introduced herself to her neighbors with a tray of cookies, ingeniously using her baking as a fundraiser for her weight-loss treatment.

Despite the ironic beginnings, the effort paid off—Miller has successfully lost 80 pounds since her arrival. Now at 67, she is gearing up to compete again, planning to enter her award-winning cookies in the Arizona State Fair this fall.

“It’s my hobby. It’s my sickness,” she joked, revealing the passion she has for baking that seems deeply ingrained in her.