Kids complete their culinary curriculum in school-themed competition
Careful, your dog might really eat this homework: “Kids Baking Championship” returns with an all-new episode, airing Monday, Jan. 15, on Food Network. During this fresh batch of 10 new episodes, hosts Duff Goldman (“Duff Takes The Cake”) and Valerie Bertinelli (“Valerie’s Home Cooking”) welcome 12 young bakers-in-training, putting them through a gauntlet of increasingly difficult pastry-making challenges. This season, the kids will also be met with an added theme, as Season 12 celebrates a return to school in the new year. “From picture day portrait cakes to blondies that celebrate the most popular recess game, hopscotch, and to cafeteria lunch dessert imposters, they must showcase their baking knowledge by making the most delicious and visually stunning treats imaginable,” Food Network describes. This season’s competitors range in age from nine (Elise Stark; Abilene, Texas) to 13 years old (Levi Dubner; Boca Raton, Florida), including: Andy Coyle (Redwood City, California; age 11), Anaiah Hodges (Manvel, Texas; age 10), Leland Jackson (Ann Arbor, Michigan; age 12), Jaime Lee (Yorktown, Virginia; age 11), Madison Lendor (Monroe, New York; age 10), Henry Muranaka (Bountiful, Utah; age 11), Tasi Savage (Kona, Hawaii; age 12), Lila Smethurst (San Antonio; age 11), Oscar Stowell (Ross, California; age 12) and Camryn Williams (Charlotte, North Carolina; age 11). Following weeks of competition — sweet for some, salty for others — the best of the bunch will go on to compete in Season 12’s massive two-episode finale, airing Monday, Feb. 26. According to the network, the finale episodes will include a “tie-dye doughnuts and ice cream competition, and end with the ultimate challenge of a volcano cake for the school science fair, with the added stipulation the baked good must actually be able to erupt. “The winning baker,” they continue, “will become head of the class and graduate with a $25,000 grand prize, a spot in Food Network Magazine and the title of Kids Baking Champion.” Needless to say, with life-changing prizes on the line, these gold-star students are eager to put their best foot forward, hoping to impress their teachers as they explore this season’s culinary curriculum. All-new episodes from this 12th season of “Kids Baking Championship” air Mondays on Food Network.