Food Network stars Jason Smith and Marcela Valladolid are judges on ‘Best Baker in America’

September 7, 2017

The following is a press release from Food Network:

Eight of America’s most elite bakers compete in the all-new primetime competition “Best Baker in America,” premiering Wednesday, September 27th at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network. Through six episodes, bakers from around the country must showcase their baking skills and creativity, as they are tasked with challenges that not only test their technical proficiency, but also their ability to execute under pressure, while under the watchful eyes of the judges: Food Network Star winner Jason Smith and Food Network’s Marcela Valladolid. Each episode the competitors must compete in two difficult rounds, including a Skills Challenge that tests their mastery of the essential technical skills of baking, followed by a Master Challenge that tests their prowess in working with specific flavors and ingredients to create the most authentic and delicious versions of classic baked delights. In the end, the judges help determine which baker moves one step closer to winning $25,000 and earning the title of Best Baker in America!

“When it comes to baking, one must possess skill, discipline and patience, and not be afraid to fail,” said Courtney White, SVP Programming, Scripps Networks Interactive. “These eight bakers will pull out all the stops to show why they have what it takes to be the Best Baker in America, and will inspire viewers at home with their astonishing creations and sheer mastery in the kitchen.”

The bakers competing for the title of Best Baker in America are: Brittani Brooker (Charlotte, N.C. – Executive Pastry Chef); Andy Chlebana (Plainfield, Ill. – Pastry Chef & Culinary Professor); Dwayne Ingraham (Oxford, Miss. – Professional Chef); Margarita Kallas-Lee (Los Angeles, Calif. – Pastry Chef); Adalberto Diaz Labrada (Salt Lake City, Utah – Executive Pastry Chef); Susan Mijeres (San Antonio, Texas – Pastry Chef); Thiago Silva (Boston, Mass. – Culinary Director); Cheryl Storms (San Diego, Calif. – Pastry Chef Consultant).

In the premiere episode, the bakers begin the first in a series of Skills and Master Challenges designed to spotlight their style and ingenuity, while putting their baking brilliance to the test. In the first Skills Challenge the bakers are tasked with baking flawless mini-upside down cakes, and in the Master Challenge, the bakers must create a double barrel or a three-tiered wedding cake for 50 people, using lemon as the featured flavor. Judges Jason Smith and Marcela Valladolid join new Food Network host Adam Rapoport to determine which baker is the first eliminated.

Meet the competitors and get highlights from each episode at FoodNetwork.com/BestBakerinAmerica. Test your baking know-how with our quiz and pick up a few new tips! Tell us which treats are your favorite using #BestBakerinAmerica.

Episodes Include:

Premiering Wednesday, September 27th at 10pm ET/PT – SERIES PREMIERE!
“Cake”
Eight of America’s top bakers gather to begin the first in a series of Skills and Master Challenges designed to put their baking brilliance to the test. In the Skills Challenge, the bakers are tasked with baking flawless mini-upside down cakes. In the Master Challenge, the bakers must create a double barrel or a three-tiered wedding cake for 50 people, using lemon as the featured flavor. Judges Marcela Valladolid and Jason Smith determine which baker is eliminated.

Premiering Wednesday, October 4th at 10pm ET/PT
“Meringue”
Seven bakers remain, and in the Skills Challenge they are charged with making their choice of two different flavors of macaron. In the Master Challenge the bakers must conjure up their own highly creative take on the dessert classic – Baked Alaska – using torched meringue, cake and ice cream, with strawberry as the required featured flavor. One baker is not up to the challenge and is sent packing.

Premiering Wednesday, October 11th at 10pm ET/PT
“Pastry”
Perfect mini fruit tarts using pâte sucrée (sweet pastry) is the challenge that six bakers face in the Skills Challenge. For the Master Challenge, the bakers are given their hardest task yet: their original version of a St. Honoré cake that must contain the elements of puff pastry, pate a choux (cream puff dough), crème chiboust (a type of pastry cream), and a required featured flavor of coffee. One more baker is sent home after the challenge.

Premiering Wednesday, October 18th at 10pm ET/PT
“Café Classics”
Five bakers are left in the competition and in their Skills Challenge they must tackle the temperamental and delicate café classic, Crème brûlée. For the Master Challenge, the task is to bake up their take on the complex and beautiful Opera Cake, a six-layer masterpiece said to evoke the tiers of the Paris Opera House. The required featured flavor is “noisette” or hazelnut. One baker is given their marching orders, as the remaining four are one step closer to the grand prize.

Premiering Wednesday, October 25th at 10pm ET/PT
“Modern Classics”
In their last chance to get into the finale, the four remaining bakers must make Mini Mirror Glaze Cakes – perfectly mirrored on the outside and with an entremet (layered mousse) cake on the inside – in the Skills Challenge. In the Master Challenge, the bakers must bake, plate and present a two-course dessert tasting menu, featuring chilies and fennel. One more baker’s dream ends today as they head home before the finale.

Premiering Wednesday, November 1st at 10pm ET/PT – FINALE!
“Chocolate”
The pressure is on as the final three bakers take on the most revered and beloved of all baking ingredients – chocolate. In the Skills Challenge the bakers must bake a perfect version of the ever-temperamental chocolate soufflé. The final Master Challenge is to create the Ultimate Chocolate Cake — a truly spectacular, elaborately decorated cake that should be the best chocolate cake the bakers have made in their lives, using some type of liquor as the required featured flavor. A winner is declared, becoming the first Best Baker in America and walking away with $25,000.