Baking With Boldness: Sarah Arnold Is Sweetening the Culinary Scene With Passion and Precision
📍 Assistant Pastry Chef, The Sanctuary
📸 @baking_with_sarah_
Not everyone can turn sugar and flour into edible art. Fewer still can do it under the crushing pressure of national television. But for pastry chef Sarah Arnold, that pressure became a proving ground — and a launchpad.
After years of quietly honing her craft, Sarah stepped into the national spotlight and emerged victorious, taking home the win on Season 14 of Food Network’s Halloween Wars. But her journey didn’t start on camera. It started in a much sweeter place — her mom’s kitchen.
Today, as Assistant Pastry Chef at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, SC, Sarah is bringing her creativity, technical precision, and gentle power to one of the most iconic kitchens in the South. Whether she’s building intricate showpieces or layering a croissant dough to perfection, Sarah is a force — one built on kindness, courage, and a love of learning.
A Childhood Filled With Cakes and Creativity
Sarah’s love of pastry began in the most heartfelt way: with birthday cakes. “My mom made my birthday cakes every year,” she recalls. “It became something I looked forward to so much.”
From there, the joy of baking snowballed. She began helping her mom with holiday pies and cookies, eagerly taking on more as she got older. That spark eventually led her to enroll at Johnson & Wales, one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the country — and she hasn’t stopped baking since.
Her journey is a testament to how a small family ritual can turn into a lifelong passion — and a profession.
From Family Kitchen to Food Network Champion
In 2024, Sarah’s talents were put to the ultimate test when she competed on Halloween Wars — one of the most intense and imaginative culinary competitions on TV. Each episode demanded towering sugar sculptures, themed desserts, and lightning-fast collaboration with teammates under the scrutiny of cameras and judges.
And she won.
“Winning Season 14 of Halloween Wars was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done,” she says. “But I grew so much from it — and made some great friends along the way.”
The win was more than a trophy. It was a turning point. Sarah proved not only to the world — but to herself — that she could push beyond her comfort zone, trust her skill, and deliver under pressure.
An Artist in the Kitchen
Now based on Kiawah Island, Sarah works as Assistant Pastry Chef at The Sanctuary, a luxury hotel known for its attention to detail, elegant service, and exceptional food. It’s also one of very few hotels to hold a triple five-star rating from Forbes — a testament to the level of excellence Sarah contributes to every day.
Under the mentorship of acclaimed pastry chef Jordan Snider, she’s sharpening her skills in sugar work, dessert development, and showpiece execution — taking everything she learned on TV and turning it into everyday brilliance.
Jordan, she says, is her biggest inspiration. “He’s incredibly talented and generous with his knowledge,” Sarah says. “I’ve learned so much from him — about pastry, showpieces, and just how to approach the work with creativity and calm.”
For Sarah, pastry is more than just a profession. It’s an artistic outlet. A place where technique meets imagination. And she’s constantly evolving — pushing herself to learn more, do more, and express herself through flavor and form.
Charleston as a Creative Canvas
Sarah’s love of the Lowcountry runs deep — not just for the food, but for the inspiration she draws from the region’s natural beauty and historic charm. “Charleston is packed with history and beauty,” she says. “The architecture alone is full of character and so inspiring — it’s a special place to be a creative.”
In a city that celebrates both heritage and innovation, Sarah’s pastry work feels right at home. She blends structure with whimsy, elegance with edge — always adding a personal twist to whatever she’s making.
It’s that mix of discipline and playfulness that sets her apart — and keeps people coming back for more.
Advice for the Next Generation of Pastry Chefs
Sarah’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Like many women in professional kitchens, she’s had to navigate expectations, prove her worth, and build her confidence over time. But now, with both experience and accolades under her belt, she’s passionate about helping other young women find their footing in the culinary world.
“Don’t stay comfortable,” she advises. “Keep pushing yourself to improve a little every day. Ask questions, be bold, and don’t let anyone hold you back.”
And above all: “Surround yourself with people who share your passion — and always, always be kind.”
That mindset — growth-oriented, grounded, and generous — reflects exactly who Sarah is, both inside the kitchen and out.
From Camera Lights to Community Events
In May 2025, Sarah joined dozens of fellow women in food for Our Table x Charleston — a special event hosted at The Chef’s Collective to honor and elevate female chefs across the region.
The day offered everything from professional headshots to networking, storytelling, and support. It wasn’t about competition — it was about visibility. And Sarah was right at home among the powerhouse lineup.
Wearing her Wild Side Funky Chef jacket and radiating quiet confidence, Sarah reminded everyone that strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it looks like a woman who leads with grace, stacks up victories, and still makes time to mentor others.
Why We’re Telling Sarah’s Story
At Funky Chef, we don’t just make chef jackets designed for women’s bodies — we champion the women wearing them. Women like Sarah Arnold, who are reshaping what success looks like in the culinary industry.
Sarah’s story is proof that you don’t have to be loud to make an impact. You don’t have to choose between kindness and ambition. You don’t have to wait for someone to give you permission.
You just have to keep baking, keep learning, and — if you’re like Sarah — keep showing up, fully and fiercely yourself.
Baking Her Legacy
As Sarah continues to grow her pastry career, she’s already building something bigger than sugar sculptures and plated desserts. She’s building a legacy of creativity, courage, and care.
From childhood cakes to Food Network fame, from pastry school to Kiawah Island kitchens — Sarah Arnold’s journey is just getting started. And we can’t wait to see what she whips up next.
Big thanks to Tina McCard for organizing such a special gathering, to Kate Blohm for the stunning headshots, and to Meredith Fischl of Eat Drink Play Charleston for helping bring more media attention to the talented female chefs of Charleston. Also a huge thanks to the awesome Duo, Katie & Andrea, that own and operate Chef's Collective - for graciously providing us with a space to gather and connect.