Oksana Shchelgachova
Here on the Plateau, the name Oksana Shchelgachova evokes more than just admiration—it stirs affection, delight, and a sweet sense of hometown magic.
As the owner of Edelweiss Pastry Boutique, Oksana draws from the warmth and spirit of her Ukrainian roots to create desserts that are miniature masterpieces—each one crafted with intention, memory, and heart. We at the Laurel are still glowing with pride over the confections she created for our 20th anniversary celebration—each adorned with an edible butterfly so delicately sculpted it seemed to flutter with wonder.
Now, Oksana has stepped onto a national stage as a contestant on Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship, bringing with her the spirit of Highlands and the soul of Edelweiss. But her journey into the spotlight wasn’t without its trials.
The most unexpected challenge came at the very start of filming. “It was shocking, brutal, and it knocked the wind out of me,” Oksana shares. After nearly seven years of dreaming about the competition, she stumbled in the very first challenge. “I cried without stopping. But then I wiped my tears, smiled through the pain, and told myself: Yes, I may lose one day — but not today.”
That moment became a turning point. She rose, trembling but determined, and stepped back into the fire—stronger, braver, and more resolved than ever.
Nerves were a constant companion in the competition. “The ticking clock seemed to steal the air from the room,” she recalls. But instead of letting it shake her, Oksana adapted. She memorized every corner of the kitchen, trusted her instincts, and let her hands lead the way. “Faith became my anchor, even in the storm.”
The experience transformed her. “I came in as a chocolatier, but I walked out a baker in every sense of the word,” she says. The pressure carved resilience into her like scars turned to armor. “Now, if you woke me in the middle of the night and told me I had two hours to create a cake, I’d dive in without hesitation.” But she adds with a wink, “If you let me get some sleep first, then the cake will be not just done — it will be exquisite. Because even warriors bake better after a little rest.”
Oksana’s time on the show is already reshaping Edelweiss. “Until now, we were known for our chocolate creations,” she explains. “But now, piece by piece, I’m bringing in the very desserts I created on the show.” Each week, as new episodes air, she plans to add that week’s spooky treat to the shop menu—inviting guests to taste the journey alongside her.
More than flavors, she’s bringing back a philosophy: saying yes to risk, trusting creativity, and daring to share the unexpected. “Desserts that carry not just flavor, but a little bit of the magic, the fearlessness, and the joy the show awakened in me.”
Standing on a national stage, Oksana felt the weight—and the honor—of representing Highlands. “This little town has given me so much,” she says. “I wasn’t just Oksana competing — I was a hometown girl standing for all of us.”
Her pride was braided with gratitude. “Highlands is now on the national map in this sweet and spooky way, and I got to be the one to carry our story into that spotlight.”
Oksana Shchelgachova in the kitchen of Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship.
With the competition behind her, Oksana is dreaming bigger than ever. “I feel ready for anything,” she says. One of her greatest wishes? To open a European restaurant in Highlands, inspired by her grandmother’s recipes and the flavors of her childhood.
“There’s so much still to cook for this town, so much still to give,” she says. “The future feels like a feast, and I cannot wait to share every bite.”
From the quiet hum of Edelweiss to the high-octane kitchen of Halloween Baking Championship, Oksana Shchelgachova has proven that artistry, resilience, and love can rise like the perfect soufflé—even under pressure. Highlands is lucky to call her its own—and the rest of the world is just beginning to taste what she’s made of.
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