Earlier this month in Philadelphia, Pa., the Baking Coach, a local Long Island women-run business, won SCORE’s annual 60th anniversary Pitch Competition.

The Baking Coach is an educational and entertainment cooking company located in Bellport. Along with the Baking Coach, nine other incredible entrepreneurs competed for $35K in prizes in the first of five pitch competitions as part of the organization, SCORE.

Baking Coach founder Lisa Basini won first place in the competition, taking home the grand prize grant of $20,000. 

SCORE positively impacts communities, local businesses, and the national economy by providing free, expert mentoring and educational resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

SCORE’s 60th anniversary Pitch Competitions hosts an electrifying celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. These competitions are an avenue for small-business owners to showcase their presentation and selling skills to industry experts, win funding, and gain valuable knowledge and mentorship, all at no cost.

The three winning businesses from the Philadelphia competition are:

Lisa Basini, The Baking Coach, Bellport

Demetri “James” Patitsas, The Greek Shack, Mountaintop, Pa. Ed and Kristin Cunningham, The Spot Hometown Deli, Elizabethtown, Pa. Basini, of Smithtown, shared about her business and the product development of the Baking Coach’s patent-pending Edible Cookie Dough Baking Activity Kits, available in three flavors: chocolate chip, oatmeal cookie and birthday sprinkle.

The Edible Cookie Dough Baking Activity Kits include pre-measured quality and non-GMO ingredients to create safe-to-eat raw cookie dough that you can also bake into delicious cookies. Each bag is created with the intention for all learning styles to follow along.

The key to the popularity of the bags, she said, is that you can create the cookie dough right in the bag. These bags also follow in the Baking Coach’s mission of creating an inclusive baking activity for all, and to create an inclusive workforce in the process. Part of the Baking Coach’s workforce includes the differently abled community and teaching them job skills.

“It’s so easy to make cookies and you don’t have to make a mess in your kitchen because there is no bowl!” she said. “Just mix everything in the bag. It’s fun and easy! I want everyone, regardless of age or ability, to be able to bake. I’ve really made it as easy as possible so that everyone can experience the joy of baking!”

When asked how she felt upon hearing that she was the first-prize winner, Basini shared, “I really couldn’t believe it. Everything just stopped! I always say these Baking Activity Kits have my whole life’s work in them, so to be acknowledged by SCORE was such an honor. “

SCORE posted on their Instagram account: “Wishing a heartfelt congratulations to these inspiring and innovative entrepreneurs and a huge THANK YOU to all finalists, volunteers, attendees and staff who made this first event a success!”

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories.

Basini said the $20,000 grant money will be used to help raise awareness of her inclusive baking kits. It will also help her expand her product line, purchasing equipment and investing in eco-friendly packaging.