Biography
Konopelski, a native of Saskatchewan, Canada, graduated from the Professional Division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He subsequently moved his talents to Broadway, where he sustained a ten-year career, being cast in three Broadway shows in addition to numerous tours and regional productions.
In 2011, Konopelski enrolled in the French Pastry program at the French Culinary Institute, studying under Jacques Torres and Ron Ben-Israel. Upon graduating at the top of his class, Konopelski began work as a pastry cook at some of New York's top restaurants.
Konopelski established his first service industry establishment, Turnbridge Point, in Denton, Maryland, in 2015. The property was a popular bed and breakfast that also hosted numerous private events and public brunches. Being equipped with an on-site commercial kitchen, Konopelski found a niche providing wholesale and special-ordered baked goods. Turnbridge Point and Konopelski would go on to be awarded best bed and breakfast and best chef, respectively, on the eastern shore of Maryland by several publications.
Konopelski opened his full-scale bakery, Turnbridge Talbot, in Easton, Maryland, in 2019. Konopelski's wedding cakes have since been featured in such publications as "The Knot," "Brides," and "Martha Stewart."
Konopelski's first foray into televised baking took place in 2015 when he appeared on Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship. After competing in all eight episodes, winning several individual challenges, and finishing runner-up in the competition, he gained a loyal fanbase that was drawn to his big personality and spontaneous dance moves in the kitchen, as well as his talent for baking. Konopelski went on to compete in two additional Holiday Baking Championship special episodes. However, Konopelski claimed his Food Network Champion title after two successive episode wins on 2018's Haunted Gingerbread Showdown.
Konopelski launched his baking show "The Sweet Life of Steve" on YouTube. The show features favorite recipes from his bakery, along with Konopelski's trademark humor and wit. Season one of the series features ten full-length instructional episodes covering a range of sweet and savory recipes. Topics covered include flourless chocolate torte, pulled pork dinner with sides, beer bread BLT, and Konopelski's award-winning pecan pie, among others.
In addition to the full-length episodes, the series includes short "tip" videos that demonstrate specific culinary techniques that are used in the full-length episodes. These shorter videos will be 1-2 minutes in length and provide instructions on topics such as creaming butter and sugar, zesting citrus, sifting, using a double boiler, and more. A holiday special demonstrates adding festive features to some previously-covered baked items
