Marais, a 2006 graduate of MUW’s culinary program, will be in Columbus Wednesday and Thursday, making media appearances, as well as doing cake demos for current students.

In August, Marais returned to her alma mater to work with culinary students and meet community members at a public reception.

Marais competed against thousands of other contestants and earned a spot as a finalist on “Food Network Star” Season 8.

Originally from South Africa, Marais moved with her family to Tupelo when she was 16. As a high school student, she worked for a wedding company, where she decorated wedding cakes and catered.

She earned a degree in culinary arts from MUW and later worked as a pastry chef and cake artist. Eventually she moved to Boston, Mass., where she worked in a high-profile baking company.

Marais resides in North Attleborough, Mass., with her husband.