Local chef, "Baker Dave" Okapal announced on his Facebook page that on Nov. 19, he will be appearing on Food Network's Christmas Cookie Challenge.

According to Temple University, Baker Dave is the official pastry chef of the Philadelphia university.  He "makes the TU Bigcake and pretty much every baked good...in the dining hall or at the food court in the Student Center."

Baker Dave is a native of Findlay, Ohio and according to socialfindlay.com, his first experience in a bakery happened at a place located in the town called Baker's Delight.  Later, he got his degree in Applied Science in Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University.

After college, Baker Dave worked at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, DE.  Then, in 2003, he was hired as the pastry chef at Temple University.

In 2009, Baker Dave made his appearance on Food Network on the show "Extreme Wedding Cake Challenge," where he and his brother-in-law won a silver medal.  Now, he's returning to Food Network for an episode of their "Christmas Cookie Challenge."  On the show, 5 bakers will compete for a $10,000 grand prize.  The episode airs on Nov. 19 at 10pm.

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