The closer we get to the holidays, the more excited we get for our favorite holiday traditions, whether that's decorating the tree or going ice skating. We also look forward to our favorite seasonal TV shows and movies. One of the classics is the Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship, which has returned for another season of baking, holiday cheer and good-hearted competition.
Along with this seasonal favorite, Holiday Wars and Christmas Cookie Challenge are back with new seasons. The Food Network has also created a new holiday series called Battle for the Bird, a Thanksgiving-themed competition show to get us ready for Turkey Day.
Holiday Baking Championship
In Holiday Baking Championship, a group of talented bakers make holiday-themed dishes, competing against the other contestants to win a $25,000 prize. Each episode has two rounds; the first round being the "Preliminary Heat."
In this contest, the holiday bakers prepare small holiday treats, like cupcakes or holiday cookies, centered around a theme. The theme might be a holiday like Hanukkah or Christmas, or it might be a certain Christmas cookie, like gingerbread or snowball cookies. Whatever it is, it's sure to challenge the contestants' baking skills and celebrate holiday flavors.
The contestant who wins the pre-heat round receives an advantage for the coming competition, the "Main Heat." In this, the bakers make a larger, more elaborate dish or treat, sticking to episode's holiday theme. The judges often switch it up during this episode, throwing in an unexpected challenge to deal with when the bakers are in the midst of their creation. Whoever's dish is worst is eliminated from the competition and unable to move on to the next episode.
This year's contestants are amateur bakers from all over the country, united by their desire to show off their baking skills and go home with the prize. The seasonal favorite is hosted by Jesse Palmer and judged by cake baker Duff Goldman, pastry chef Nancy Fuller, and chef Carla Hall.
Falling Into Winter
In the first episode of the Holiday Baking Championship, "Falling Into Winter," Host Jesse Palmer asked the twelve holiday bakers to honor the changing of the seasons by preparing fall and winter doughnuts. They then created mouth-watering cheese board sweets, making apple and cheese desserts. Judges Nancy Fuller, Carla Hall and Duff Goldman had to choose two bakers to send home, making this double-elimination round even more nerve-racking.
The release date for the premiere episode was November 1st, and the next six episodes will air every Monday evening at 8/7c. Tune in to see which who will win the title of Holiday Baking Champion this holiday season!
