Holiday Baking Championship

"Holiday Baking Championship" is a Food Network series that has been aired every year for the last seven years. It consists of both professional bakers and home bakers competing until one ultimately is crowned the winner of the season. And, like the title of the show suggests, it's about holidays...particularly Christmas and a bit about Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. Each week, one baker is declared the winner (though they actually win nothing until the final round) and a loser who is sent home.

I have enjoyed the show but have noticed something. In season three, I noticed that the judges were NOT getting along well. In particular, Nancy seemed to disagree with everyone....but more often with Lorraine. My daughter and I definitely noticed some tension here....though in later seasons it looked as if all fences were mended and everyone appeared happier. I really PREFER it that way and consider season three an aberration, though I did see a bit of this in season two as well. Still enjoyable...and more so when the judges seemed more unified and less argumentative.

Yuck. I don't know why the judges pick certain contestants to just obsess over. They will absolutely miss the mark and the judges just go on and on about how they are so amazing as if you should look past all the major flaws due to a huge bias. The host is also like the cheesiest guy you'll ever see. It's like the high school quarterback who burnt out 20 years ago trying desperately to stay relevant. I could go on this show with no experience and make it further than trained chefs since the judges obviously have no sense of taste and are blind to all flaws if they like the contestant. Such a shame how downhill food network has gone.

They do not judge fair. Not only does the undeserving person usually win... but the judges openly contradict their decisions.

The only explanation is the show being rigged. I literally watched a "Finale" where the judges chose the most interesting design and said her baking tasted terrible. This is a freaking food show.

The only way this show can be redeemed is if they stop rewarding stories and crying. One person cried every episode, was almost eliminated twice, but won the whole thing. In comparison, another chef stayed strong, worked hard, and made desserts that were well liked but because he didn't cry or tell some stupid story.

Do not watch this show.

I dug through the entire "cast and crew" section of this page and couldn't find anything about the writers. I know these shows are supposed to be "unscripted" but I'm sure Jesse isn't making up his bad puns on the fly. There has to be a script for the introduction he does in every episode, and it's weird that the writers aren't listed here. Maybe they want to protect the illusion that this is all spontaneous?

I like the show overall but I do think it's a bit unfair that the final results aren't cumulative - someone who has done outstanding work, week after week, should not lose to a less-talented person due to merely having one small mistake during the final competition. The best person doesn't always win, unfortunately.

Now that lorraine pascale is gone I find it much more like a baking contest vs just eating treats and giggling on tv. I just found her annoying.