Ranking the Food Network Baking Championship
Hi everyone,
I am a big fan of many cooking shows that are out there. Ever since I was young I particularly loved to watched the culinary cooking competition shows. These shows ranged from Top Chef and Food Network Star to Great British Bake Off. I’ve even ranked every season of Top Chef here . That post is my most popular post with over 2,000 clicks. Therefore I thought I’d rank another series I’ve enjoyed watching over the years—Food Network’s Baking Championship. Baking Championship currently has 3 versions that air throughout the year (Spring, Halloween, and Holiday). There’s been a lot of talented contestants throughout the seasons and I look forward to each version every year. There have also been quite a few CT residents on the show—including the owner or Sift Bakery in Mystic, CT. So let’s see which season is my favorite!
3rd: Spring Baking Championship
I look forward to every season of each version of the show every year. However, I find this version the most temperamental from a creative standpoint. I feel as though the creative tries so hard to hit you over the head with SPRING-BUNNIES-FLOWERS-EASTER-OUTDOORS-EASTER EGGS that the baking gets lost in favor for some odd challenge themes/decorating requirements. This is the version I’ve trailed off from as a season airs. However, a new season will likely air this coming spring, so I’m hoping it focuses on its strengths- timely challenges but keeping the baking and technique at the forefront!
2nd: Halloween Baking Championship
I love this version of Baking Championship never feels stale. There’s so much creative to work with given the Halloween theme. Each season has highlighted its’ contestants in a memorable way that helps me separate each season so they don’t all blur together. The most recent season (aired in 2020) challenged the contestants. Instead of 2 challenges per episode there was 1 main challenge featuring multiple elements and twists. I enjoyed this fresh take for the season. I did think the season leaned a bit gory (there was a severed limbs challenge in the finale!), but I appreciate them pushing the envelope.
1st: Holiday Baking Championship
I love the holidays so the Holiday Baking Championship is my favorite version of Baking Championship each year. I love the fall flavors used featured as cinnamon, pumpkin, chai, peppermint, or mocha. I do think the Halloween version has been a bit more creative recently. However, this version has brought the holiday joy every season. I am interested to see how the season currently airing will turn out. There have been a few dramatic twists already, but I’m confident the heart and joy of the show will shine through.
What’s your favorite cooking show? What’s your favorite version of Baking Championship?
Most of the Holiday Baking Championships are added to Hulu around the time of year their featured (Halloween is added in October, Holiday in November, Spring in March). They tend to be repeated throughout the year on Food Network or can be watched On Demand on the Food Network GO APP.
Happy holidays.
Happy baking!
Mike
