Thursday, November 29, 2018

Holiday Baking Championship - Five Bakers Remain

I have received a few requests to do a post on Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship so people can discuss it in the comments, so here it is.

The five bakers remaining in season 5 of Holiday Baking Championship are: Douglas Phillips, Dan Raymond, Sarah Lucia Tafur, Lerome Campbell, and Chantal Thomas.  Three episodes remain and the winning baker will be crowned on Monday, December 17th.  The winner will receive a $25,000 prize and I will do another post for the finale where you can discuss the season and the winner.

Holiday Baking Championship has been getting really good ratings for a Monday night with about 1.6 million total viewers per episode.  This makes Holiday Baking Championship one of Food Network's top rated shows.

What do you think of the season so far and who are you rooting for to win?

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Giada De Laurentiis To Host New Show 'Winner Cake All'

Photo - Food Network
Giada De Laurentiis will be the host of a new Food Network show called Winner Cake All which will premiere on Monday, January 7th at 10pm ET.  The series will be 13 episodes long, and each episode will have four bakers challenged to make a cake for a $10,000 prize.  There will be two challenges per episode, with the first being a decoration challenge and the second being a cake challenge.  The contestants will be challenged to make themed cakes similar to what was done on Cupcake Wars.

Giada recently hosted Ultimate Thanksgiving Showdown and has been a host/judge on Food Network Star for years.  People always seem to comment on Giada's outfits and her behavior no matter what show she is on, so it will be interesting to see how involved she is as the host on Winner Cake All.  The judges on the show will be a rotating panel with judges such as: Dan Langan, Kimberly Bailey, Damiano Carrara and Yolanda Gampp. (Link)


The press release about the show from Food Network is below:

"Culinary icon Giada De Laurentiis kicks off the New Year with the competition series Winner Cake All, premiering Monday, January 7th at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network. Each episode features four of the best cake-baking tandems from around the country, as Giada challenges them to create epic cakes for their clientele's unforgettable celebrations, ranging from a cake honoring a member of the armed services coming home to a cake for the ultimate family party featuring America's favorite quintuplets, the Busbys, from TLC's OutDaughtered. Through 13 episodes the teams are put to the test over two rounds of baking, with a rotating panel of guest judges helping the clients determine which team captures their dream look and taste to prevail with the $10,000 grand prize!

"As a culinary superstar, restaurateur and Food Network host, there isn't anything that Giada cannot do," said Courtney White, President, Food Network. "Whether it is making a cake for a baby shower or bringing a celebrity client's vision to life, these bakers must navigate pressure-filled challenges, while wowing Giada and the judges for the right to walk away with $10,000."


Each episode features the baking teams competing in two rounds, including a Decoration Challenge where each team must create a unique cake topper based on the client's theme. The panel of judges then decide which team is the first to be eliminated. In the second round, the three remaining teams take part in the Cake Challenge, where Giada introduces the client's request for a sculpted cake for their celebration. Thematic episodes during the season include the creation of a game day party cake for former NFL player Rashad Jennings, Guy Fieri tasking the bakers with making a Guy's Grocery Games-themed cake, and Iron Chef Michael Symon challenging the bakers to make a cake for the opening of his new restaurant in Las Vegas. The STAKES are high but only one team will be victorious and celebrate with $10,000.

Visit FoodNetwork.com/WinnerCakeAll for exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and insider videos with Giada and the celebrity clients. On Food Network's Instagram we are challenging Giada and the judges to a series of "Beat the Heat" games. Find out who can crack the most eggs in 30 seconds and who can stack and frost a cake the fastest! Join in on the conversation using #WinnerCakeAll."

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge Winner Crowned Tonight

Tonight at 9pm ET on Food Network is the season finale of Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge where the winner will take home $25,000.   The final three chefs competing for the prize are Deborah Vantrece, Josh Hedquist, and Darnell Ferguson.

Tonight's episode description states: "In the finale, the remaining three chefs are pushed to the limits of their creativity. In the first round, one chef will be eliminated as the competitors are faced with crucial kitchen equipment being off-limits. Then, in the final head-to-head round, the last two chefs must make a full Thanksgiving meal in just three hours. Only one chef will walk away with the $25,000 prize."

I will update this post with the Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge winner after the episode airs and feel free to discuss this season in the comments.


Continue reading to see the winner....

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge Premieres Tonight

Tonight at 9pm ET on Food Network is the series premiere of Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge hosted by Giada De Laurentiis.  Five chefs will be competing for a $25,000 prize where they try to make innovative turkeys, side dishes and desserts.  The show will be judged by Alex Guarnaschelli, Carla Hall and Christian Petroni.  The show is only three episodes long and the winner will be revealed on November 18th.

Food Network Star winner Christian Petroni's finds himself on Food Network as a judge again.  There are still no updates on any other potential Food Network shows for Christian or Food Network Star co-winner Jess Tom.

More information about Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge and other upcoming Thanksgiving specials on Food Network is below: