Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sweet competition
‘Spring Baking Championship’ returns for a fourth season
Spring is in the air, and for those of us up in more northerly climes, it can’t come soon enough after a cold, snow-filled winter. Even folks living in the warmer South have something to get excited about, though: Food Network’s hit seasonal competition is back for another year. “Spring Baking Championship” returns for a fourth season on Monday, March 12, with a new host, its familiar judges and a whole new batch of bakers looking to hit pay dirt.
“Cheap Eats” host Ali Khan takes over as host this season, bringing his easy-going charisma to a position that’s previously been occupied by former NFL player Jesse Palmer and “Junk Food Flip” host Bobby Dean. Luckily, he shouldn’t have too much difficulty learning on the job, with all three judges from “Spring Baking Championship’s” previous three seasons back for another decadent competition.
Duff Goldman (“Ace of Cakes”), Nancy Fuller (“Farmhouse Rules”) and Lorraine Pascale (“Worst Bakers in America”) are all in the kitchen and waiting for the parade of sweet treats that’s headed their way. In Monday’s premiere, 10 fresh contestants — who happen to be some of the best bakers in the country — face off in their first challenges, and this week it’s all about the colors of the season.
In the pre-heat challenge, Khan challenges the bakers to celebrate the season by making fruit-forward tie-dye mini cheesecakes, with the winner receiving an advantage in the main-heat challenge. For that test, the theme gets even more intense, with the bakers tasked with making color-gradient naked ombre cakes featuring delightful, fresh herbs.