Plot Synopsis

Eight pastry chefs compete in elimination challenges as they vie for the title of "Best Cake Artist in America" and a grand prize of $100,000. In each episode, bakers must beat the clock as they create over-the-top theme cakes and impress the panel of judges; otherwise, they may be the one sent home. These culinary cake masters build original monsters of epic proportions, create a top-notch cake for a talent show at the Bluebird Theater, design cakes that celebrate the 50th anniversary of the comic book series The Fantastic Four, and create a cake that is an illusion or magic trick. The judges include: cake designer Kerry Vincent; pastry chef Keegan Gerhard; and a rotating guest judge each week, such as Mary Maher, Broadway actress Kate Shindle and Las Vegas magician Nathan Burton. On April 5, 2009 at 8pm, FOOD NETWORK CHALLENGE premiered a four-episode season called FOOD NETWORK CHALLENGE: LAST CAKE STANDING, which pitted six competitors against each other in a four-round challenge. Mary Maher, who co-owns Cakegirls, won this first competition and the $50,000 grand prize. Nearly two years later, LAST CAKE STANDING became its own series.