Get away this summer with return 'Summer Baking Championship'

New season premieres Monday, May 13, on Food Network

Press Release

It is a sweet escape this summer on the return of Food Network’s “Summer Baking Championship,” premiering Monday May 13 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on Food Network. Host Jesse Palmer welcomes 10 fresh bakers from around the country into the kitchen to prove their baking talents in summer-travel themed challenges. From mile-high berry pies to delectable dessert tacos, the bakers must impress judges Duff Goldman, Carla Hall and Damaris Phillips to claim the title “Summer Baking Champion” and the grand price of $25,000.

“As Food Network’s top freshman series in 2023, ‘Summer Baking Championship’ had audiences hooked on its entertaining summer themed-challenges and exquisite baked creations,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “In season two, audiences are in for an even bigger treat with summer desserts inspired by summer vacations and hot spots that are packed into every episode.”

The competition kicks off with a challenge where the bakers must craft the perfect poolside snack – ice cream bars. However, there’s a twist – no ice cream allowed! The bars must look like ice cream bars, but can only be made of cake or cookies, and need to be beautifully decorated for summer. The baker that wins the pre-heat challenge earns an exclusive upgrade from the “First Class Station” granting them an advantage in the main heat, where the bakers must utilize ingredients from popular summertime cocktails to create a summer tart.

Throughout the season, the bakers will face challenges highlighting the best summer has to offer from tropical fruit to beach vacations. In the semifinals, the challenges celebrate Discovery’s “Shark Week,” requiring the bakers to whip up shark bite cookie bars and shark cage desserts. Then, in the grand finale, it’s fireworks and flags, as the three remaining bakers celebrate America’s birthday by creating a New York City-inspired Fourth of July fireworks cake complete with lights and lasers. In the end, one baker will be crowned “Summer Baking Champion” and take home $25,000.

“Summer Baking Championship” contestants include: Vonshia Brown (Los Angeles), Tara Canaday (Cumberland, Maine), Austin Granados (Manitoba, Canada), Chris Jara (San Antonio), Rob Lough (Houston), Dominick Miller (Santa Rosa, California), Nayibe Renaud (Henderson, Nevada), German Rizzo (Glen Cove), Stephanie Tucci (Ontario, Canada) and Karol Zapata (Queens).

Fans can meet the competing bakers and get a behind-the-scenes look at each challenge on FoodNetwork.com/SpringBakingChampionship. Follow along with the competition on social media and tell us who you think should win the weekly challenges using #SummerBakingChampionship.