Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Molly Yeah (Season 8), Ali Khan (Seasons 4 & 7), Clinton Kelly (Seasons 5 & 6), Jesse Palmer (Seasons 3, 9 & 10) and Bobby Deen (Seasons 1 & 2), SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP features a group of bakers -- a mix of professional, amateur and self-taught chefs -- who have come from across America to compete for the $50,000 grand prize by creating springtime treats that impress judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller and Lorraine Pascale (and later Kardea Brown). From making Mother's Day brunches to serving up Memorial Day family picnics, the competitors must prove their baking abilities each step of the way. In each of the six episodes, the bakers are tested in a pre-heat round, in which one baker is granted a special advantage in the main heat. Along the way they must endure surprising twists in order to succeed.

The eight competitors in Season 1 are: Damiano Carrara (Moorpark, CA), originally from Lucca, Italy, who left for California with his brother to follow their dreams to open an Italian pasticceria; Andy Chlebana (Plainfield, IL), who was named the American Culinary Federation's National Pastry Chef of the Year (2008) and one of Dessert Professional's Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America (2013); Kristine de la Cruz (Los Angeles, CA), the owner of Creme Caramel LA, a Los Angeles-based dessert shop specializing in traditional recipes with a Filipino twist; Juliana Evans (Orlando, FL), a homemaker and stay-at-home mom, who loves teaching her four daughters how to bake, and enjoys sharing her treats with family and friends, which led to the opening of her own food truck, Graciously Sweet; Simone Faure (St. Louis, MO), founder of a St. Louis shop, who has been highlighted in American Way Magazine, The New York Times and The Washington Post; Sandy Hunter (Chicago, IL), who left her position as the catering pastry chef at The Art Institute of Chicago to run a kosher bakery and has been at Sweet Sensations Pastry for the past four years; Dwayne Ingraham (Oxford, MS), currently the corporate pastry chef for City Grocery Restaurant Group, who previously helped open the Encore's Switch Steak in Las Vegas before moving on to Michael Mina's Seablue at the MGM Grand; and Chris Taylor (Atlanta, GA), with a PhD in epidemiology, who's been a home baking enthusiast for more than 10 years, earning more than 200 awards from competing in baking contests at the local, regional, state and national levels.

Host Bobby Deen and judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale all return for a second season of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP, which premiered on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network. Throughout the season, the competitors must tackle new challenges featuring classic spring themes and ingredients, while enduring surprising twists along the way. From cookies to brownies, and cakes to pies, the bakers' creativity and abilities will be sifted and measured in each of the six hour-long episodes. After the first round one baker will be granted a special advantage, but will it be the boost needed to succeed, or will it help them reach baking bliss?

On March 12, 2017 from 9-11pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered the seven-episode third season of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP, showing back-to-back new episodes. The action unfolds as host Jesse Palmer welcomes a new batch of nine of the country's best bakers as they compete to create the most impressive springtime desserts to butter up the tough-love judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale. The bakers' skills and techniques must measure up in themed challenges celebrating spring, from Easter confections to derby desserts, and from morsels for mom to patriotic goodies. Only one baker will rise to the top to take home the grand prize of $50,000 and the title of Spring Baking Champion. In each of the seven hour-long episodes, the bakers must whip through two rounds of challenges and sift through surprising twists along the way. It's no cakewalk, but the one baker with the tastiest treat in the pre-heat will earn a special advantage in the main-heat. In the season opener (9pm), "Easter Treats," nine of the best bakers in America embrace the spirit of the Spring Baking season by creating Easter egg desserts and bunny cakes. In the night's second new episode (10pm), "Sweet Vacations," for the eight remaining bakers, spring vacations inspire tropical desserts and destination doughnuts based on locations such as a poolside resort, a spring cruise and a Vegas getaway.

Season 4 of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network. Ali Khan hosts the new season that will test the skills of ten talented bakers to see who will measure up and impress judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale. The new season promises even more decadent dessert challenges and incredible baked creations as the bakers tackle trial after trial in their bid to bake the most delicious, eye-catching bites. As the competitors are challenged to prepare the ultimate in spring-themed treats, viewers can join the conversation on social media using #SpringBakingChampionship to cheer on their favorite baker they want to see take home the grand prize of $50,000 and the title of Spring Baking Champion! In each of the eight episodes, bakers must prepare tasty treats in two rounds of challenges, with the round one winner granted a special advantage in the main-heat. Bakers are challenged on their creativity, execution, and ability to perform under pressure, all while crafting delicious, beautiful baked bites befitting spring such as cupcake flower arrangements, picnic-perfect mini pies, berry-infused desserts, mirror-glazed gazing balls, ombre cakes and more. In the season opener, "Spring Colorburst," the competition kicks off in the pre-heat, when the 10 bakers celebrate the bountiful fruits and bright colors of the season by making fruity, tie-dye mini cheesecakes. In the main heat, the theme -- and the competition -- intensifies when the bakers are asked to incorporate fresh herbs and produce color gradients in their naked ombre cakes.

The fifth season of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premieres on Monday, March 18, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network, immediately following an eight-hour marathon (1-9pm) of encore episodes. Season 5 welcomes new host Clinton Kelly all three returning judges: Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale. This season, over eight one-hour episodes, host and lifestyle expert Clinton Kelly tests the resolve of 10 talented bakers to create extraordinary baked treats that must impress returning judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale, to earn the coveted title of Spring Baking Champion and walk away with the $25,000 grand prize! But to rise to the top, the bakers must survive two demanding rounds of spring-themed challenges in each episode that push their baking skills to the limit, with the judges determining which competitors go home and who will be victorious. The 10 competitors in Season 5 are: Tracey Marionneaux (Miami, FL); Jordan Kanouse (New Orleans, LA); Cory Barrett (Kalamazoo, MI); Karina Rivera (Miami, FL); Kevin Dillmon (Rome, GA); Jessica Colvin (Southlake, TX); Riccardo Menicucci (San Francisco, CA); Marqessa Gesualdi (Philadelphia, PA); Saber Rejbi (Chicago, IL); and Kendra Stephens (Washington, DC).

Food Network premieres the sixth season of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT, with Clinton Kelly returning as host and Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Lorraine Pascale all returning as judges. Through nine episodes, 11 talented bakers are tested to create extraordinary, jaw-dropping spring treats for a chance to be crowned Spring Baking Champion and win the $25,000 grand prize during the double-episode finale on Monday, April 27 from 9-11pm. The 11 bakers in Season 6 include: Val Criado (Val's Sweet Treats; San Antonio, TX); Sandra Danso-Boadi (Fruitilicious Cakes; Mississauga, ON); Sohrob Esmaili (San Francisco Proper Hotel; San Francisco, CA); Arin Hiebert (Fairmont Palliser; Calgary, AB); Franck Iglesias (Foxwoods Resort Casino; Old Saybrook, CT); Molly Matthaei (culinary arts instructor; Jackson Hole, WY); Aisha Momaney (New York, NY); Christine Nguyen (The Sweet Boutique Bakery; Sugar Land, TX); Anibal Rodriguez (St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort; Rio Grande, PR); Aris Rodriguez (The Enchantment Resort; Sedona, AZ); and Tati Vernot (Miami, FL).

Season 7 of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 9-11pm ET/PT on Food Network. Host Ali Khan returns to present 11 competitors from across the country with spring-themed baking challenges for a chance to take home the $25,000 grand prize and a spot in Food Network Magazine. But in order to win this competition the bakers must show off their superb baking skills each episode over two rounds, including a pre-heat test which gives a baker an advantage during the main heat. Through 10 episodes the competitors must prove they can create and elevate tasty springtime desserts to impress judges Kardea Brown, Nancy Fuller, and Duff Goldman to make it to the finale and kick off their spring in the sweetest way. Competitors in Season 7 include: Chiantae Campbell (Miami, FL); Laurent Carratie (Mendham, NJ); Madiha Chughtai (Richmond, TX); Derek Corsino (Saint Helena, CA); Jahmal Dailey (Brooklyn, NY); Stephanie DeVoll (Norwalk, CA); Veruska Samanez (Cedar Grove, NJ); Dayron Santamaria (Takoma Park, MD); Natalie Soto (Capistrano Beach, CA); LeeAnn Tolentino (Los Angeles, CA); and Keya Wingfield (Richmond, VA).

SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP returned for its eighth season on Monday, February 28, 2022 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Food Network, with new host Molly Yeh and returning judges Kardea Brown, Nancy Fuller, and Duff Goldman. In the premiere, 12 bakers enter the Spring Baking barn to make fruit tarts that showcase their personalities, while also creating floral bonanza cakes. Judges Kardea Brown, Nancy Fuller and Duff Goldman determine which bakers move on in the competition. Throughout the season Molly delivers some of the biggest twists in Spring Baking history, with double eliminations and a baker returning to the competition to shake things up. Other episodes include Molly bringing a taste of New Orleans to the farm with challenges inspired by Mardi Gras, including the bakers putting their own spin on the classic king cake and making a fantastic Mardi Gras parade float, and the bakers creating classic baseball stadium treats that make spring a little sweeter. The four bakers that advance to the finale must bring a piece of their family history to the final challenge by creating a cherished family recipe and an heirloom wedding cake. In the end, one baker is crowned the new Spring Baking Champion and takes home the cash prize and a spot in Food Network Magazine. The 12 competitors are: Alexis Wells (Carlsbad, CA); Annabelle Asher (Fort Lauderdale, FL); Carolyn Portuondo (Honolulu, HI); Dennis Van (Austin, TX); Diego Chiarello (Houston, TX); Jaleesa Mason (New York City, NY); Jenniffer Woo (Palm Beach Gardens, FL); Justin Ross (Richmond, VA); Kim Wood (Simsbury, CT); Romuald Guiot (Los Angeles, CA); Tom Smallwood (New York City, NY); and Yohan Lee (Nashville, TN).

On Monday, March 6, 2023 from 8-10pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered the ninth season of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP. In the premiere, 12 bakers enter the Spring Baking kitchen and are tasked by host Jesse Palmer to give a fresh Spring makeover to the desserts that made them fall in love with baking. Judges Kardea Brown, Nancy Fuller and Duff Goldman determine which baker's skills have blossomed to move on in the competition. One of the biggest culminations of love is a wedding =- in the finale the three remaining bakers must design and create a dream wedding cake for a real couple. In the end, one baker is crowned the new Spring Baking Champion and takes home the cash prize and a spot in Food Network Magazine. Season 9 bakers include: Molly Robertson (Natchez, MS); Keem Jackson (Florence, SC); April Franqueza (Sapphire, NC); Jessica Quiet (Stowe, VT); Christian Velez (Hollywood, FL); Jai Xiong (Savage, MN); Luke Deardurff (Bronx, NY); Manja Blackwood (Tucson, AZ); Josh Cain (Orlando, FL); Victoria Casinelli (Shelton, CT); Clement Le Deore (San Diego, CA); and Michelle Henry (McAllen, TX).

The 10th season of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP premiered on Monday, March 4, 2024 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Food Network. Host Jesse Palmer puts a dozen talented bakers to the test to transform springtime soirees into spectacular desserts. From Earth Day to Jazz Fest, to Derby Day and more, the bakers must showcase their baking abilities and craftsmanship as they whip up the most delectable, edible creations to win over judges Kardea Brown, Nancy Fuller, and Duff Goldman. Only one baker will rise to the top and earn $25,000 and the title of Spring Baking Champion. In the premiere, 12 bakers enter the Spring Baking kitchen to get the celebration started with some fun in the sun as they are tasked with creating sweet treats inspired by a tropical spring break. With two hours on the clock, the bakers must create a dessert that takes the judges on a spring break adventure using ingredients and flowers found on a tropical trip. Over the course of the competition the bakers face themed challenges including, floral dome cakes for the Spring equinox, ice cream filled baked Alaska desserts decorated to resemble different geographical locations and cocktail flavored eclairs inspired by the Kentucky Derby. In the two-part finale, two of the bottom bakers face off on Monday, April 29 at 8pm ET/PT in a challenge where they honor the wedding tradition of "something borrowed" by borrowing recipes from the other bakers. Then on Monday, May 6 at 8pm ET/PT, the three remaining bakers must design and create a dream wedding cake inspired by stain glass. Only one baker is crowned the new Spring Baking Champion and takes home the cash prize. The 12 bakers in Season 10 include: Sandro Arotinco, Michael Bass, Alexandre Bonnefoi, Katelyn Boutilier, Nickey Boyd, Sabrina Courtemanche, Rochelle DeSouza, Robert Gonzalez, Zoe Ma, Anna Simeonides, Steven Tran, and Ericka Wells.
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On Monday, May 6, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered "The Wedding," the Season 10 finale of SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP. Host Jesse Palmer prepares the top three bakers of the season for their big day! He challenges them to create ornate wedding cakes inspired by stained glass windows, and judges Duff Goldman, Kardea Brown and Nancy Fuller decide which over-the-top baker is worthy of $25,000 and the title of Spring Baking Champion.