The Truth About Makana Jarman From Food Network's Easter Basket Challenge

Food Network's Easter Basket Challenge debuts on March 1st, and Makana Jarman is someone to watch. Jarman is part of the team of Makana and Helen Nguyen, owners of Portland foodie favorite Cake Nouveau. They describe their business as "a bakery specializing in Asian Pacific fusion pastries and custom cakes" (via Yelp). A Hawaiian native, Jarman moved to Portland in 2012 after receiving her degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from the Art Institute of Santa Monica in 2010 (via KATU 2). She and her partner have close to a decade of experience in the industry. These baking veterans had been working together for four years prior to opening their own shop.

The only thing sweeter than their delectable-sounding desserts is their friendship. They say on the Cake Nouveau website, "We are best friends who love to laugh while creating edible works of art." Jarman will be on her own for this new Food Network special, themed around sweet Easter treats and traditions. Judges Chefs Jordan Andino and Claudia Sandoval join host Sunny Anderson as 7 aspiring bakers quest to earn the golden egg worth $25,000.

Expect flavors from Jarman that will showcase her Pacific Asian fusion style. Cake Nouveau lists cake flavors such as match chiffon and banana with fillings like passion fruit and guava curd. Visually, we suspect that you can look forward to classic designs with a modern twist. Think elegant lacework, semi-nude frostings, and plentiful flowers. Leaves and berries help add a Portland touch to the bakes. 

A peek at Jarmon's Instagram page shows her bubbly personality. The up-and-coming baker appears to enjoy all things Pacific Northwest from flea markets, to adorable pups, spending time outdoors, and of course, friends and food. As she discusses her upcoming television appearance on KATU 2's Afternoon Live, you can clearly see her enthusiasm and energy. The only downside she describes is that the whole experience goes by so fast! You can catch Jarman on the March 1st premiere, but keep your eyes on Food Network, too. Her Cake Nouveau is also reported to have created a cake for Padma Lakshmi on the Portland season of Top Chef.