Carving It Up in the Kitchen

Nolan with Chef Stephan Baity at the Extreme Pumpkin Carving Experience in Hartville, Ohio

Growing up in a poor area of Canton, Ohio, Stephan Baity often saw graffiti on buildings in his neighborhood. These images laid the groundwork for his future business venture: Graffiti Carving. The company specializes in carving food into unique designs.

I recently met up with Chef Baity at the Hartville Marketplace in Ohio for an Extreme Pumpkin Carving event. He told me about his life and career. 

As a teen, Baity faced many challenges, including divorce and addiction within his family and a best friend’s death from cancer. Baity turned to the kitchen as a way to take his mind off his problems.  

One of Chef Baity's creations. (Photo courtesy of Stephan Baity, Graffiti Carving)

One of Baity’s biggest inspirations came from his high school home economics teacher, Rebecca Labowitz. “She never gave up on me,” Baity said. 

Labowitz encouraged Baity to rise above his surroundings and insisted that he was better than the drugs, alcohol, and gangs around him. She challenged Baity to be the best he could be and persuaded him to pursue his talents in the kitchen at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute.

“HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF”

After graduating as a chef, Baity took an interest in carving food and developed his skills. He began entering and winning awards at competitions nationwide.

In 2015, Baity was invited to be on the Food Network’s Christmas Cake Wars show. His team won the grand prize.

“It was an absolutely crazy experience,” Baity recalled. “The competition was so much fun, and I met some great people.”

That same year, Baity started his Graffiti Carving business. He has carved many decorative pieces and logos for company parties, fundraisers, and auctions. Last month, he competed in the Food Network’s Halloween Wars.

When he is not carving, Baity can be found spending time with his wife and three children. When asked what advice he would give to students, he said, “It doesn’t matter how you start. It’s how you finish that matters. Have faith in yourself each day.”

Chef Baity is following his own recipe for success.