World renowned baker Buddy Valastro of Carlo’s Bakery is set to host a new competition for Food Network that will test the nonstop baking abilities of competitors.
Big Time Bake, premiering Monday, June 8 at 9 p.m. EST, will give competitors six hours to bake creative cookies, decadent cupcakes and a showpiece cake all inspired by a surprise theme. The clock never stops, even during the judging, as Valastro and guest judges visit each baker’s station every two hours to taste and critique their sweets.
Valastro will be joined each episode by two rotating expert judges, including Nacho Aguirre, Ralph Attanasia, Zoe Francois, Tregaye Frasier, Dan Langan, Lorraine Pascale, Aarti Sequeira, Thiago Silva and Kristen Tomlan.
“The competitors must bake the best cookies, cupcakes and cakes that not only taste delicious, but also impress Buddy Valastro with the technique and presentation,” says Courtney White, president, Food Network. “On top of preparing the desserts, the bakers must strategize to use their time wisely, making Big Time Bake one of the most difficult competitions.”
In each of the six hour-long episodes, four bakers along with their assistants must complete cookies, cupcakes and a cake from scratch in only six hours. The baked goods must fit a special theme. After two hours of the competition, Valastro and the guest judges visit each baker’s station to taste the cookies, but time will still be running out so the bakers must continue working during the judging. One baker will be eliminated without finishing their other items. At the fourth hour of the competition, the cupcakes are due and another baker will be eliminated. With two bakers remaining and two hours left until the six hours are up, they must rush to finish their masterpiece cakes.