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Food Network is set to launch a thrilling new baking competition series, The Ultimate Baking Championship, debuting on March 9, 2026, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Enthusiasts can look forward to the familiar face of Jesse Palmer, who will helm the series as host, having previously charmed audiences on shows like Spring Baking Championship and Holiday Baking Championship.
In a delightful addition, the show will feature the expertise of renowned pastry chef Duff Goldman as a judge. Duff, who gained fame with his hit series Ace of Cakes, has since become a staple on Food Network through various judging and hosting roles. His extensive résumé includes popular series such as Kids Baking Championship and Baking Championship: Next Gen. Joining him each week will be a guest judge who will bring their own unique perspective to the competition.
The Ultimate Baking Championship promises an intense culinary battle across its nine episodes, as sixteen of the most talented pastry chefs vie for supremacy. As outlined in a recent press statement from Food Network, the contestants will be tasked with mastering fundamental pastry techniques. From the intricacies of laminated dough to the precision of pâte à choux, and the artistry required in chocolate and sugar work, the challenges are designed to test their skills to the fullest. The judges are on the hunt for a contestant who not only displays exceptional skill and vision but also the endurance to outshine their peers.
What Is The Ultimate Baking Championship?
According to a Food Network press release, in the nine-episode series, The Ultimate Baking Championship, sixteen elite pastry chefs will be challenged each week by Jesse to demonstrate mastery of the core techniques of pastry chefs, including laminated dough, pâte à choux, chocolate work, and sugar artistry. The judges will be looking for the pastry chef who has “the skill, vision and endurance to rise above the rest.”
In the Ultimate Baking Championship premiere, the sixteen pastry chefs will be randomly split into two groups. They’ll have to create desserts centered around the four tastes–sweet, salty, sour, or bitter–combined with a specific texture. Each pastry chef must make an elevated plated dessert with their assigned flavor profile, but also make it their own with their signature style.
Later in the season, the remaining bakers will advance to the Master Challenge, in which they’ll have to create a dessert inspired by the roots of their baking journey. Other episodes will include a dessert battle inspired by science, a 3-D chocolate sculpture challenge, and crafting theatrical experience edible displays. Food Network announced The Ultimate Baking Championship in an Instagram post, with photos of the cast.
Who Are The Ultimate Baking Championship Guest Judges?
Every week, Food Network star chef Duff will be joined on the Ultimate Baking Championship judging panel by a baking legend. They’ll include Bryan Ford, Amaury Guichon, Shinmin Li, Jacques Torres, Sherry Yard, Molly Yeh and Zac Young.
Who is Competing In The Ultimate Baking Championship?
Sixteen pastry chefs will compete in The Ultimate Baking Championship. Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery said, “The pastry chefs competing are the best of the best – they are true artists whose desserts are mind-blowingly beautiful and delicious. The Ultimate Baking Championship chefs elevate pastry technique and artistry to the highest level we’ve ever seen.”
The Ultimate Baking Championship competitors are: Julian Belon (Miami, Florida); Florencia Breda (San Luis Obispo, California); Molly Coen (Monterey, California); Rochelle Cooper (Washington DC); Sarah Craichy (Lake Tahoe, Nevada); Adalberto Diaz (Salt Lake City, Utah); Casey Doody (Chicago, Illinois); Arlety Estévez (Atlanta, Georgia); Robert Gonzalez (Boston, Massachusetts); Juan Gutierrez (Chicago, Illinois); Clement Le Deore (San Diego, California); Oralia Perez (Houston, Texas); Lasheeda Perry (Fort Walton Beach, Florida); Cesar Ryan Sajulan (Brooklyn, New York); Christopher Teixeira (Chicago, Illinois) and Steven Weiss (Martinsburg, West Virginia).
What Is The Ultimate Baking Championship Grand Prize?
The winner of The Ultimate Baking Championship will win a $50,000 grand prize. It will be awarded during the finale on Monday, May 4, after the contestants’ final desserts are judged by Duff, Shinmin Li, Jacques Torres and Sherry Yard.
The Ultimate Baking Championship will be another exciting baking competition series on Food Network. It’s always a treat to see pastry chefs using their culinary skills and imaginations to create beautiful and delicious desserts. Duff and Jesse are experts at presenting these shows in an entertaining way, so they’ll make it even sweeter. The Ultimate Baking Championship will be a delectable addition to Food Network.
The Ultimate Baking Championship airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network and streams the next day on HBO Max and discovery+.
Sources: Food Network/Instagram, Food Network