Plot Synopsis

Hosts and judges Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli mentor a group of kid contestants (ranging in age from 10 to 13), who are tested on their baking skills and originality as they survive elimination while vying for the grand prize: $25,000 in Seasons 2-8 and a Season 1 prize package that includes a complete set of Food Network bakeware products, a profile in "Food Network" magazine, an original cake featured at Charm City Cakes and $10,000 cash. Throughout the competition, these talented kid bakers whip up delectable desserts, including creative cakes, mouthwatering cookies and pastries -- making it seem as easy as pie. Each one-hour episode of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP features a single challenge, ending with one or two contestants being sent home.

In Season 1 the four remaining bakers compete in the finals, where the kids are tasked with a massive challenge: create a celebration cake for the moment they win, along with baked party gifts that complement their cake in flavor and design. The eight Season 1 contestants include: Caroline Binkley (Delaware, OH; age 13), Annika Coffman (Boise, ID; age 12), Jackson Fujimori (Torrance, CA; age 11), Hollis Jackson (Jacksonville, FL; age 13), Payton Pelaez (San Francisco, CA; age 10), Anthony Smith (Rochester, NY; age 11), Cody Vasquez (Gilbert, AZ; age 12), and Natalie Venable (Thousand Oaks, CA; age 11).

Season 2 of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. The second season opens with ten kid bakers creating the perfect pie with just the right balance of crust and filling, but Valerie and Duff reveal midway through the challenge that the kids must also make a flavored ice cream from scratch. In subsequent episodes, the kids try to avoid elimination while creating a dozen tasty and artfully decorated eclairs, decadent, delicious, chocolate desserts from scratch, three-dozen macarons in at least two different colors for a beautiful macaron display, a dessert that utilizes three randomly assigned popular lunchbox items, a dessert using at least three different kinds of candy from a huge candy display, a dessert item masquerading as a savory dish, and a spring break-themed cake challenge. In the finale, the three remaining bakers battle it out for the title of Kids Baking Champion. The ten Season 2 contestants include: Alex Alcorta (Austin, TX: age 10), Rebecca Beale (Graham, TX: age 13), Peggy Fischer (St. Johnsbury, VT; age 10), Jane Haviland (Ann Arbor, MI; age 11), Colby Lacasse (Blue Hill, ME; age 11), Matthew Merril (Great Falls, VA; age 11), Alex Portis (Monroeville, PA; age 12), Yahshimabet Sellassie-Hall (Oakland, CA; age 12), Emma Wensing (Austin, TX; age 11), Ryan Wilson (Danville, CA; age 11).

Food Network premiered the the third season of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP on Monday, January 2, 2017 at 8pm ET/PT, immediately following a four-hour marathon (4-8pm) of encore episodes. During the ten-week competition, the kid contestants (ranging in age from 9 to 12) must show off their baking skills and creativity as they whip up delectable desserts despite difficult, themed challenges such as carnival cupcakes, erupting volcano cakes, throwback treats, and the always popular challenge, dessert imposters. Only one will rise to the top to win the sweet grand prize of $25,000 to become the champion. In the season opener, "Life Is a Carnival," the carnival is in town for the Kids Baking Championship kick off! It's a thrill ride when Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman ask the 12 best kid bakers in the country to create carnival-themed cupcakes and incorporate carnival treats like kettle corn, frozen bananas and cotton candy. The 12 Season 3 contestants include: Aidan Berry (Shalimar, FL: age 12), Kaniyah Cary (Portsmouth, VA: age 10), Brooke Cumberland (Greenwich, CT: age 9), Charlotte d'Arabian (Coronado, CA: Age 10), Justice Faustina (Napa, CA: age 12), Cole Frederickson (Thousand Oaks, CA: age 12), Keili Gorczyca (San Francisco, CA: age 10), Jason Intravartolo (Seattle, WA: age 11), Maya Jindal (Great Falls, VA: age 9), Dylin Musgrove (Grovetown, GA: age 12), Reese Smith (Bloomfield Hills, MI: age 10), and Audra Tow (Aurora, CO: age 10).

Season 4 of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, January 1, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network, as Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman challenge the skills of a dozen young bakers. Over the course of ten episodes, the contestants (ranging in age from 10 to 13) compete in decadent dessert challenges designed to find the most impressive and creative kid baker in the country. To make it to the top tier of the competition, their baking skills and originality must measure up, as they whip up sweet treats such as cookies, ice cream, and doughnuts. Only one will take the cake and the sweet grand prize of $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine, and the title of Kids Baking Champion! Throughout the ten-episode season, the kid contestants must tackle new confectionary challenges, from sweet dessert pizzas using traditional savory pizza toppings, to out-of-this-world desserts with freeze-dried astronaut approved ingredients, and to a new twist on the popular imposter dessert challenge featuring lunchbox favorites. On the premiere, the bakers must conquer cookie cakes, but when Duff and Valerie throw them a crazy curveball -- by asking them to make layered, tiered, stacked and beautifully decorated cookie cakes -- one competitor melts under the pressure. Season 4 contestants include: Gareth Bennett (Gaithersburg, MD; age 10), Julia Betz (Key Biscayne, FL; age 12), Alex Czajka (Edmonton, AB; age 12), Beverly Hepler (Foster City, CA; age 10), Grady Holloway (Chesterfield, MO; age 11), Luke Jonsson (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; age 13), Linsey Lam (Closter, NJ; age 13), Abby Martin (Franklin, WI; age 13), Bryn Montgomery (South Hill, VA; age 11), Aditya Pillutla (Cary, NC; age 12), Michael Platt (Bowie, MD; age 11) and Soleil Thomas (Livingston, NJ; age 12).

The fifth season of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network, as Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman return to challenge the skills of the bakers, ranging in age from 10 to 13, in difficult dessert trials. Only one will take the cake and the sweet grand prize of $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine, and the title of Kids Baking Champion! Throughout the seven-week season, the kid contestants show off their skills and creativity as they whisk through new confectionary challenges, from gravity-defying cakes, to outrageous ice cream sandwiches using any sweet treat except cookies. The classic imposter dessert challenge returns as well with a new surprising Italian twist, and the bakers will also have to tackle other delectable desserts including creative cakes, bite-sized sweets and scrumptious snacks. Season 5 contestants include: Zach Atlas (New York, NY; age 13), Matthew Azuma (Glendora, CA; age 12), Mekdes Bass (Boulder, CO; age 10), Enzo Consani (Orlando, FL; age 10), Saylor Herrin (Ailey, GA; age 11), Taylor Inouye (Kailua, HI; age 12), Natasha Jiwani (Bellevue, WA; age 13), Issi Neufeld (Coppell, TX; age 11), and Davey Treen (Akron, OH; age 10).

Season 6 of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network, immediately following a seven-hour marathon (2-9pm) of encore episodes from the previous season. This season, a dozen new talented young bakers, ranging in age from 9 to 13, are tested in difficult dessert challenges. From sugar cookies to mini cheesecakes, and from macarons to brownies and blondies, Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman mentor the bakers through the tasty tasks to see who measures up in the competition. Only one takes the cake and the sweet grand prize of $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine, and the title of Kids Baking Champion! Season 6 showcases exciting new challenges featuring the latest dessert trends, lots of irresistible sweets, and tons of flavor and fun. Throughout the ten episodes the competitors show off their skills and creativity as they whip up impressive confections, from freaky flavor tarts using ingredients like jalapeno, goat cheese yuzu and anise, to dramatically erupting monkey bread volcanoes. Competitors include: Jenna Alnatur (Clifton, NJ; age 9), Gavin Crawford (Pearland, TX; age 11), Paige Goehner (Blaine, MN; age 11), Misha Jones (Annapolis, MD; age 12), Brooklyn Kyzar (Silverhill, AL; age 12), Kasey Moeggenborg (Rockford, MI; age 13), Jaxon Remillard (Mansfield, TX; age 11), Meadow Roberts (Minneapolis, MN; age 10), Nyah Rosado (New Rochelle, NY; age 11), Davis Sams (Vancouver, BC; age 13), Madison Totaro (Austin, TX: age 11), and Karthik Vemparala (Somerset, NJ; age 11).

Food Network premiered the seventh season of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP on Monday, August 5, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network. Hosts and judges Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman return to test the baking skills of nine young bakers as they tackle seven demanding and delicious challenges. The bakers take on tests like hedgehog cakes and pie art in hopes of winning $25,000, a spot in Food Network Magazine and the title of Kids Baking Champion. Throughout the season, the kid contestants show off their skills and creativity as they whisk through new confectionery challenges -- from hedgehog poke cakes, to intricate pie art, and to giant doughnut cakes. The classic imposter dessert challenge returns as well with a new surprising international twist, and the bakers will also have to tackle other delectable desserts including creative out-of-this-world cakes, sweets, and scrumptious snacks. Season 7 competitors include: Trevin Alford (Washington, IN; age 13), Tori Church (Nashville, TN; age 12), Sophia Elrod (Nashville, TN; age 10), Tarek Husseini (St. Louis, MO; age 13), Taylor Pusha (Roanoke, VA; age 12), Dharma Sabapathy (Austin, TX; age 11), Brady Stewart (San Angelo, TX; age 12), Sophie Tate (Stansbury Park, UT; age 12), and Brooke Waters (Selma, AL; age 11). In the season opener, "Splatter Up!," the bakers must use art as inspiration to create two-layer splatter cakes -- the brighter and crazier, the better. But that's not all, each baker must a choose a paint can to reveal what flavor their cake must be, such as chocolate chip, lemon, coconut, red velvet, and banana. The baker that crumbles under the pressure will be eliminated.

Season 8 of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network. Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman return to test the skills of 12 new talented young bakers, ranging in age from 10 to 13, who, over the course of 10 weeks, whisk through new confectionery challenges. The one with the most delectable desserts will rise to the top and earn $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine, and the title of Kids Baking Champion! Throughout the season, the kid contestants show off their creativity and baking talents in tough challenges that even seasoned experts would find difficult. From 3D dinosaur cookies, to Neapolitans desserts, to ice cream cone cupcakes, and trifles, they will be tested on their baking and decorating abilities to impress Duff and Valerie with the taste and presentation of their sweet treats. The bakers will also have to tackle other delectable desserts including creative fruit cakes, potato print cookies, and the classic dessert imposter challenge returns as well, with a new surprising twist. Season 8 competitors include: Liam Bizjack (El Dorado Hills, CA; age 12), Morgan Chaffin (Glen Burnie, MD; age 11), Anthony Fontanez (Belmar, NJ; age 12), Sahana Gade (Sugar Land, TX; age 10), Phoebe Gore (New York, NY; age 11), Sam Occhiogrosso (West Hartford, CT; age 11), Graysen Pinder (Wilmington, NC; age 13), Elise Sammis (Chapin, SC; age 11), Saleem Sandhu (Yuba City, CA; age 12), Avner Schwartz (Haverford, PA; age 12), Reggie Strom (Bend, OR; age 12), and Naima Winston (Baltimore, MD; age 11). In the season opener, "Beyond the Fringe," Duff and Valerie take the bakers back to the groovy 1970s to test their cake decorating abilities by challenging them to create shag texture cakes. Each baker will select a cake flavor that they must bake from scratch before they can begin designing and decorating. The baker that crumbles under the pressure will be eliminated.

On Monday, December 28, 2020 from 9-11pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered the ninth season of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP. Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman welcome a dozen new talented young bakers to the new season to see whose skills will measure up in difficult baking challenges, including rainbow cupcakes, dessert imposters, and more! For the first time, the bakers' parents are backstage watching and reacting to the ups and downs of the ten-week competition. Only one will take the cake and the sweet grand prize of $25,000, a spot in Food Network Magazine, and the title of Kids Baking Champion! The ten-episode season is filled with exciting new challenges, the latest dessert trends, and lots of irresistible sweets. One challenge, celebrating Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl, has each baker paired up with an adorable, adoptable puppy and they must create a birthday cake that envisions their four-legged friend's life after adoption. In another challenge the kid competitors must make a giant cookie face with 3D features that communicate an assigned expression. Each week one baker will be surprised to land at the bottom of the bunch. Season 9 competitors include: Keaton Ashton (Sugar City, ID; age 13), Haylin Adams (Glasgow, KY; age 11), Jonah Anderson (Harrisburg, PA ; age 12), Cydney Cain (Prospect Park, PA; age 10), Andrew Clark (Madison, MS; age 10), Trey Gordon (Davenport, IA; age 12), Bella Luu (San Jose, CA; age 12), D'Von Mills (Lithonia, GA; age 12), Namiah Phillips (Long Beach, CA; age 12), Miabella Ramirez (Katy, TX; age 11), McKenzly Sandefer (Conway, AR: age 11), and Nemo Tsai (Ann Arbor, MI; age 10). In the two-hour season opener, "Brushstrokes and Garden Cakes," Valerie and Duff challenge the 12 kid bakers in the first hour to make brushstroke mini cheesecakes that are both colorful and delicious. Then, in the second hour, there's a garden cake challenge with real fruit, herbs and other natural items as decorations.

KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP returned for its tenth season on Monday, December 27, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. This season, Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman welcome a dozen of the youngest bakers ever. The ten-week competition will test the kid contestants, ages 8-11, in difficult themed challenges. From kitchen sink sweets, to cream puffs, and to dessert imposters, they must showcase their impressive baking skills and techniques. Only one incredible young baker will rise to the top to earn the sweet grand prize, including a spot in Food Network Magazine and the title of Kids Baking Champion. The ten-episode season is filled with new challenges featuring the latest dessert trends, as well as innovative twists on the most popular sweets. In the season opener, "Float Like a Butterfly," to kick off this special season featuring the youngest cast ever, hosts and judges Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman ask the 12 kid bakers to pay homage to the brilliant transformation of the butterfly by making colorful carved butterfly cakes. After judging, one baker leaves the competition. Throughout the season the bakers show off their abilities and creativity as they whip up irresistible sweets, from cosmic pull apart cupcakes, to zebra cakes, and kitchen sink desserts full of salty and sweet snacks. On Monday, February 21, 2021, it's the final two episodes of the competition. At 8pm ET/PT, Valerie and Duff test the four remaining kid contestants' knowledge of the loaded food trend, where they must create loaded milkshakes topped with two different homemade baked goods. Three bakers earn spots in the grand finale at 9pm ET/PT, where they must make championship-worthy, two-tiered cityscape cakes that capture the quintessential sights of one iconic American city -- San Francisco, New York City and Washington DC. One young baker will take the cake to win. Season 10 competitors include: Nadya Alborz (Knoxville, TN; age 10), Joseph Bostick (San Diego, CA; age 10), Lucia Calonge (Cincinnati, OH; age 10), Santiago Corso (Huntington Beach, CA; age 11), Caroline Gross (York, PA; age 10), Summer Haque (Yorba Linda, CA; age 10), Ellora Martinez (Yorba Linda, CA; age 9), Sarah Patel (Knoxville, TN; age 10), Riya Shah (Fort Meyers, FL; age 11), Finley Sheers (McLean, VA; age 10), Benjamin Steinhauser (Hillsborough, NJ; age 8), and Ava-Leigh Wright (Atlanta, GA; age 10).

On Monday, October 17, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered "Trick or Eat," a one-hour KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP holiday special. Four fan-favorite kids bakers dare to return to a kitchen that has been transformed into a spooky Halloween haunt. Hosts Duff Goldman and Maneet Chauhan challenge them to create a Halloween mask pie using ingredients the bakers collect while trick-or-treating, but they must be wary of a sudden, shocking twist! What isn't scary is the impressive $10,000 prize package of baking tools and equipment that goes home with the best pie-maker!

"All-Star Holiday Homecoming," a one-hour holiday-themed KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP special, debuted on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network. Four Kids Baking Championship winners return to show off their top-notch skills as they craft tasty holiday delights. Hosts and judges Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli challenge the champs to bring the holiday cheer with decked-out Yule logs for a chance to win a stunning prize package worth $10,000!

Season 11 of KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, December 26, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network and earlier in the day on discovery+. For the first time, Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman welcome a dozen kid entrepreneurs with burgeoning baking businesses and will not only test the young bakers' skills in the kitchen, but also their business savvy. Throughout the ten-week competition the young contestants must create the latest dessert trends and most popular sweets in difficult challenges, each with an innovative business twist. From logo cakes to market trend cupcakes, and from viral mashup desserts to power lunch dessert imposters, they must showcase their successful business knowledge and impressive baking talents. Only one incredible young baker will rise to the top to earn the sweet grand prize, including a spot in Food Network Magazine and the title of Kids Baking Champion. Season 11 competitors include: Logan Brod (New York, NY; age 12), Jason Chan (Boston, MA; age 12), Naiel Chaudry (Los Altos, CA; age 12), Toby Hyun (Dallas, TX; age 11), Sohan Jhaveri (Denver, CO; age 13), Genevieve Kashat (Detroit, MI; age 11), Ozan Kopelman (New York, NY; age 13), Nash Roe (Clive, IA; age 13), Foster Smith (Norfolk, VA; age 11), Alissa Telusca (Naples, FL; age 12), Peyton Waldrep (Baton Rouge, LA; age 10), and Naho Yanagai (Morgan Hill, CA; age 13). The ten-episode season is filled with new challenges that test the bakers' business brains as well as their baking talents. On the premiere, the kid contestants learn that first impressions are everything and they must use the psychology of color to enhance the palette of their bestselling desserts by picking colors that reflect the most important aspects of their business, like yellow to reflect happiness, green to relax, or pink for positivity. Throughout the season the young bakers show off their abilities and creativity as they whip up irresistible sweets, using business techniques far beyond their years.

"Bloodcurdling Bakes" premiered on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. Four fan-favorite kid bakers dare to return to a kitchen that has been transformed into a spooky Halloween haunt. Duff Goldman and co-host Sam Seneviratne challenge them to create cemetery fault line cakes inspired by classic trick-or-treat candy bars, but beware, there is a sudden, shocking twist! What isn't scary is the very impressive $10,000 prize package of baking tools and equipment that goes to the best cake baker.

"Sweets-Giving," a one-hour KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP Thanksgiving special, debuted on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. Hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown welcome four memorable kid bakers back to celebrate the abundance of Turkey Day by creating Thanksgiving buttercream boards featuring duos of buttercream, baked items and chocolate-dipped treats. The winning baker will be filled with gratitude when they take home the bountiful $10,000 prize package of baking tools and equipment.

On Monday, November 27, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered "Reindeer Games," a new one-hour KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP holiday special. Hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown bring the jolly merriment when four unforgettable kid bakers return for the holidays to make reindeer cakes with 3D antlers. The winning baker takes home all the gifts in the $10,000 prize package of seasonal baking tools and equipment.

KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP returned for its 12th season on Monday, January 1, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network, immediately followed by "Honor Roll," a new one-hour special. This season, for the first time, Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman welcome a dozen kid bakers to take on baking challenges inspired by the best parts of the school year. Throughout the ten-episode competition, the young bakers must create the latest dessert trends and most popular sweets in difficult challenges with a school twist. 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. Only one incredible young baker 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. Season 12 competitors include: Andy Coyle (Redwood City, CA; age 11), Levi Dubner (Boca Raton, FL; age 13), Anaiah Hodges (Manvel, TX; age 10), Leland Jackson (Ann Arbor, MI; age 12), Jaime Lee (Yorktown, VA; age 11), Madison Lendor (Monroe, NY; age 10), Henry Muranaka (Bountiful, UT; age 11), Tasi Savage (Kona, HI; age 12), Lila Smethurst (San Antonio, TX; age 11), Elsie Stark (Abilene, TX; age 9), Oscar Stowell (Ross, CA; age 12), and Camryn Williams (Charlotte, NC; age 11).
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"Scary Good," a one-hour Halloween-themed KIDS BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP special, debuted on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT on Food Network. Four fan-favorite kid bakers return to celebrate the two extremes of Halloween -- scary and sweet! Hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown challenge the bakers to make pull-apart Halloween cupcakes with a scary ingredient and one of the hottest peppers on the planet: a ghost pepper! Ghoulish ghost peppers aren't the only things scaring these bakers as a shocking twist puts the $10,000 prize of baking tools and equipment on the line.