Plot Synopsis

Ten home bakers compete in elimination challenges, as they vie for the $250,000 grand prize, a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster for their own cookbook, and the title of best amateur baker in America. Each week, the remaining bakers compete in three unique challenges focused on a single theme: "Signature Bake," during which the chefs create something familiar to them that sets them apart from other bakers; "Technical Bake," where the contestants must bake a particularly difficult or tricky dish, using ingredients and guidelines dictated by the judges; and "Showstopper Bake," forcing competitors outside their comfort zone so that they impress the judges. The contestant who out-bakes the others is that week's "Star Baker," while the one whose creations fail to impress is eliminated. The final challenge will be among the three remaining contestants, one of whom will go on to be crowned the best amateur baker in America. Weekly themes include everything from pies and tarts to cookies and cakes. One of the judges, Paul Hollywood, also appeared as a judge on THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE-OFF, the program on which THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION is based. The 10 competitors are: Brian Emmett, a 43-year-old business owner from Itasca, IL, who boasts a signature dish of caramel apple-topped cream cheese and mascarpone vanilla bean cheesecake with a walnut shortbread crust; Carlo Fuda, a 35-year-old social marketing consultant from Stamford, CT, who specializes in baking zeppole and lists Italian Rum Baba as his favorite dessert; James Reddick, a 26-year-old photographer from Hollywood, CA, whose favorite baking memory is his mom making everything by hand and from scratch; Jeremy Cross, a 35-year-old firefighter from San Diego, CA, who enjoys baking because it's his therapy; Darlene Pawlukowsky, a 51-year-old project manager from Johns Creek, GA, has had a passion for baking since she was a small child using an Easy Bake oven; Effie D. Sahihi, a 40-year-old attorney from Hendersonville, TN, whose signature dish is a pistachio cake that is flavored with orange zest and cardamom, layered with fresh orange curd and orange blossom Swiss meringue buttercream; Elaine Francisco, a 63-year-old retiree from Claremont, CA, who claims she would be a chocolate cake with white frosting if she were a dessert; Francine Bryson, a 44-year-old homemaker from Pickens, SC, who likes creating food that people love and learning the secrets from the past; Kolette Biddle, a 30-year-old home healthcare provider from Norco, CA, whose favorite food memories include her great-grandmother's candy and her grandmother's cheesecake; and Whitney Appleton Beery, a 21-year-old college student from Lubbock, TX, whose baking specialties include cupcakes, cakes and scones.