For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A local bakery will compete for the title of “Sweetest Bakery in America.”

Slice of Heaven will compete for the title, July 1 – Sept. 30.

“I am so honored that someone would take a moment and nominate my little bakery,” Slice of Heaven owner, Rebecca LaCount said. “And then for customers to take time out of their busy schedules to vote for me.”

In October, Dawn Foods will name one National Grand Prize Winner, along with the Sweetest Donut Shop, Sweetest Cake/Cupcake Shop and Sweetest Full Line Bakery in each state, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Last year, 890 bakeries participated and drew nearly 1.7 million votes across the United States and Puerto Rico. Those interested in voting for Slice of Heaven can enter once per day online at the contest’s website at SweetestBakeryInAmerica.com or by texting SBA1988 to the short code 474747.

Rebecca LaCount is originally from Janesville, where she grew up in a large family and baked extensively growing up.  When her children were teenagers, they expressed an interest in going on mission trips with their church.  To earn donations, Rebecca sold pies, cupcakes, cookies, bars, and mints.  After raising over $4,000 for a trip she told her husband, Rich, “I think I can really make something of this.”

In 2012, she contacted a local coffee shop, Mocha Moment, obtained her food license and rented out their kitchen.  Rebecca later moved to Wisconsin Rapids and started a business here.  She currently rents a kitchen from ODC, Inc.