Anyone who’s watched an episode of TLC’s hit series Cake Boss has dreamt of working alongside the Valastro family as they create the most mouthwatering treats on television. And now, there’s a new ‘help wanted’ sign hanging in the window of family’s bakery. Starting Monday, Dec. 6 (9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central), Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro starts his search for the best rising baker in the business in the all-new 8-week competition elimination series Cake Boss: Next Great Baker.

In the series, Buddy, along with various family members, put 10 talented pastry chefs through the ringer to earn the title of “Next Great Baker.” At stake are $50,000 cash and a chance to work side-by-side with Buddy at Carlo's Bakery. Each week, Buddy pushes the contestants' baking and decorating skills to the limit through a series of increasingly difficult challenges that test their business sense and cake artistry. Someone will be sent packing each week until the Next Great Baker is the last one standing.

"This show is as much about learning how to run a successful business as it is about learning the tricks and techniques to be a great cake artist," explains Buddy Valastro. "My family and I put the contestants through the challenges we face every day and think

the viewers will learn even more what it takes to be the best in the business."

The contestants vying for the sweet prize include:

• Brian Stevens from Austin, TX

• Corina Elgart from Huntington, NY

• Dana Herbert from Bear, DE

• Gregory Paul Soriano from Jersey City, NJ

• Jay Qualls from Nashville, TN

• Joe Glaser from Brooklyn, NY

• Johanna Lyons from Hanson, MA

• Kendra Jordan from Emporia, VA

• Megan Rountree from Keller, TX

• Pamela Ahn from Washington, DC

NEXT GREAT BAKER is produced for TLC by High Noon Entertainment. Executive producer is Art Edwards.

TLC's innovative docu-series and reality-based programming include favorites Kate Plus 8, Little People, Big World, What Not to Wear, 19 Kids and Counting, Say Yes to the Dress, and LA Ink. TLC added to its menu of programming with Cake Boss and continues to expand into the food genre.