Chicago’s Sugar Daddy made it to the finale of a sweet competition

James Cox, who co-owns the bakery Chicago’s Sugar Daddy Patisserie with his partner, Ryann Ibasco, made the final round of Food Network’s Halloween Baking Competition.

In an Instagram video posted after the finale, Cox posted, “It’s been a rollercoaster ride. I’ve earned friends for life and had an experience that will last a lifetime.”

Related: What is it like to grow up closeted in a Chinese restaurant? Curtis Chin has all the answers.

Chin’s memoir chronicles a childhood spent in the buzzing, florescent-lit oasis of his family’s eatery.

While 12 bakers started the competition, Cox’s creations, from a creepy clown cake to a fire-eater-themed flaming pavlova, quickly rocketed him to the top of the competitors. Even more, he fractured his foot during taping for the show, but still continued to stomp the other other bakers.

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While Cox didn’t take home the top prize, he came in second, the superstar baker quickly became a fan favorite.

Baking and creating elaborate desserts has been a life-long passion for the chef.

“It started when I was studying culinary arts in high school,” Cox told Block Cub Chicago when the men opened their bakery. “We took a tour of the Palms Casino, and I saw all the dessert plates set up and realized that’s what I wanted to do. From then on I’ve always known I’d one day open up a patisserie shop.”

The shop’s name comes from an inside joke the two men share about their relationship.

“When he started hanging out with my friends, they referred to him as a literal sugar daddy because he was always bringing sweets,” Ibasco said. “We thought it would be a good base for a business name.”

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