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Cake Wars
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| Cake Wars | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Jonathan Bennett, Ron Ben-Israel, Waylynn Lucas, Richard Ruskell |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 55 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Chris Losnegard |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Food Network |
| Release | June 29, 2015 – March 27, 2017 |
Cake Wars is an American reality competition series that was first broadcast on June 29, 2015,[1] aired on Food Network. Jonathan Bennett hosted the competition, where four bakers face off to have their cakes featured in a special event, in addition to a $10,000 prize. Star pastry chefs Waylynn Lucas, Ron Ben-Israel and Richard Ruskell judge which cakes are worthy of headlining parties for pop culture media such as The Simpsons, The Sound of Music, DC Comics, and more. The first and fifth seasons of the show ran for eight episodes and later seasons of the show ran for thirteen episodes. There was also an annual Christmas-themed spin-off of the show called Cake Wars: Christmas, which made its debut the same year as Cake Wars.[2]
It was announced on December 2, 2015, that Cake Wars was renewed for a second season. The new season featured themes that included Star Wars, Dr. Seuss, and Willy Wonka cakes.[3]
Premise
[edit]The show is almost identical to Cupcake Wars, except that the contestants design their creations out of regular cakes instead of cupcakes and there are two rounds instead of three. The first round is called "Batter Up," and the contestants are required to choose a certain number of ingredients that go with the episode's theme. One contestant is eliminated after the first round, and in the second round (called "Cake Off"), each of the teams is given two more assistants to help them make their biggest creations and improve any mistakes they may have made in the first round. Before the winner is announced, one person of the three remaining contestants is eliminated, and the winner is chosen from the two remaining contestants.
Theme
[edit]The show invites cake bakers from all over the United States to compete. Each episode is centered on the theme or event; past themes include a birthday party for baby hippo from the Los Angeles Zoo, a party for the forty-fifth anniversary of the classic film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and a film festival, etc.
Judges
[edit]Just like in Cupcake Wars, almost every episode of Cake Wars has three judges (some have four judges), two of whom are permanent judges. The guest judge(s) is usually someone who has something to do with the event for the episode, or at least someone who fits in with the theme of the episode. All the judges have the opportunity to constructively critique the cake competitors after each round of battle. The three permanent judges are:
- Ron Ben-Israel:[4] Owner of Ron Ben-Israel Cakes in New York City and the former host of Sweet Genius (Seasons 1–3). In the "Garfield" and "Where's Waldo" episodes, Cupcake Wars judge Florian Bellanger filled in for Ron.
- Waylynn Lucas: With voice actress-turned-baker, Nancy Truman, Waylynn Lucas was the former co-founder of "Fonuts," a healthier spin on the traditional coffee-and-donut shop. In the "Sound of Music" episode, Amy Berman filled in for Waylynn.
Episode guide
[edit]Season 1 (2015)
[edit]| No. | Title | Theme/Event | Guest judges | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Simpsons" | Event celebrating the success of The Simpsons | Matt Selman, show writer | June 29, 2015 |
| 2 | "DC Comics" | Opening of a new DC Comics headquarters | Dan DiDio, Jim Lee, and Geoff Johns, artist, executive editor, and writer, respectively | July 6, 2015 |
| 3 | "The Knot" | theknot.com wedding | Samantha Carisch and Taylor Sinclair (couple) | July 13, 2015 |
| 4 | "Nintendo" | Promotional event for Wii U's Super Mario Maker video game | Krysta Yang, Assistant Manager of Public Relations for Nintendo of America | July 20, 2015 |
| 5 | "Hello Kitty" | Launch of Hello Kitty's North American tour | Katherine McNamara, actress | July 27, 2015 |
| 6 | "LEGO" | LEGO flagship store event | Michael McNally, Senior Director of Brand Relations for The Lego Group | Aug 3, 2015 |
| 7 | "The Sound of Music" | 50th anniversary of The Sound of Music | Angela Cartwright and Kym Karath, actresses from the film | Aug 10, 2015 |
| 8 | "Girl Scouts" | 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts' Gold Award | Katherine Hightower, Girl Scouts | Aug 17, 2015 |
2015 Christmas special
[edit]| No. | Title | Theme/Event | Guest judges | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Christmas: Ultimate Christmas Lights" | Inspired by Frozen and Christmas lights | Chris Buck, film director | Nov 9, 2015 |
| 2 | "Christmas: Who's Coming Down the Chimney?" | Inspired by ugly Christmas sweaters | Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, founders of The Elf on the Shelf | Nov 16, 2015 |
| 3 | "Christmas: Santa's New Ride" | Inspired by Christmas elves and Santa's sleigh | Joy Cho, founder and creative director for Oh Joy! | Nov 23, 2015 |
| 4 | "Christmas: Holiday Song" | Inspired by outer space and Christmas carols | Devin Ratray, actor who played Buzz in Home Alone | Nov 30, 2015 |
| 5 | "Christmas: Charlie Brown Celebrates" | 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas | Lindsey Schulz, author and granddaughter of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz | Dec 7, 2015 |
| 6 | "Christmas: Ultimate Gingerbread House" | Inspired by snow globes and gingerbread houses | Monica Potter, actress | Dec 14, 2015 |
Season 2 (2016)
[edit]| No. | Title | Theme/Event | Guest judges | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Star Wars" | Release of Disney Infinity 3.0, which focuses on the Star Wars franchise | John Vignocchi, VP of Development for Disney Infinity | Jan 11, 2016 |
| 2 | "Dr. Seuss" | Post-humous publication of What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss | Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises | Jan 18, 2016 |
| 3 | "Kung Fu Panda 3" | Release of Kung Fu Panda 3 | Alessandro Carloni and Jennifer Yuh Nelson, film directors | Jan 25, 2016 |
| 4 | "Minecraft" | Event celebrating the success of Minecraft | Lydia Winters, Brand Director for Minecraft | Feb 1, 2016 |
| 5 | "Valentine's Day" | Wine tasting event for Valentine's Day | Jonathan Grahm, chocolatier | Feb 8, 2016 |
| 6 | "Shark Lagoon" | Aquarium of the Pacific's Shark Lagoon nights | Luke Richmond, Creative Arts & Science Education Supervisor at the Aquarium of the Pacific | Feb 15, 2016 |
| 7 | "Shrek" | 15th anniversary of Shrek | Gina Shay, film producer | Feb 22, 2016 |
| 8 | "Party Animals" | First birthday celebration for Rosie the hippo at Los Angeles Zoo | John Lewis, Director of the Los Angeles Zoo | Feb 29, 2016 |
| 9 | "Sesame Street" | Celebrating the 46th season of Sesame Street | Carol-Lynn Parente, Executive Producer of Sesame Street and Cookie Monster | Mar 7, 2016 |
| 10 | "Willy Wonka" | 45th anniversary of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | Paris Themmen, actor who played Mike Teevee | Mar 14, 2016 |
| 11 | "Archie" | 75 years of Archie comics | John L. Goldwater, CEO of Archie Comics | Mar 21, 2016 |
| 12 | "Dinosaurs" | Event at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County "World of Dinosaurs" exhibit | Jesse Daniel, Supervisor of Floor Interpretation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County | Mar 28, 2016 |
| 13 | "Alice in Wonderland" | 65th anniversary of Disney's Alice in Wonderland | Mike Gabriel, Production Designer and filmmaker at Walt Disney Animation Studios | April 4, 2016 |
Season 3 (2016)
[edit]| No. | Title | Theme/Event | Guest judges | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Captain America" | 75th birthday of Captain America | Stephen Wacker, VP of Animation at Marvel Entertainment | June 6, 2016 |
| 2 | "SpongeBob" | Nickelodeon event celebrating SpongeBob SquarePants | Tom Kenny, voice of SpongeBob | June 13, 2016 |
| 3 | "Charlie Brown's All-Stars" | 50th anniversary of Charlie Brown's All Stars! | Lindsey Schulz, author and granddaughter of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz | June 20, 2016 |
| 4 | "How to Train Your Dragon" | Celebrating the success of How to Train Your Dragon | Art Brown and Doug Sloan, executive producers of Dragons: Race to the Edge | June 27, 2016 |
| 5 | "Emoji" | Event celebrating emojis | Gedeon Maheux, co-founder of The Iconfactory | July 11, 2016 |
| 6 | "Cobra's Curse" | Grand opening of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's new ride Cobra's Curse | Brian Morrow, VP of Theme Park Experience at Busch Gardens | July 18, 2016 |
| 7 | "Beauty and the Beast" | 25th anniversary of Disney's Beauty and the Beast | Paige O'Hara, voice of Belle | July 25, 2016 |
| 8 | "Halo" | 2016 Halo World Championships | Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, Director of Programming for Microsoft | Aug 1, 2016 |
| 9 | "Madeline" | 75th anniversary of Madeline | Kate Clark, founder of Yottoy | Aug 8, 2016 |
| 10 | "Jelly Belly" | Event celebrating Jelly Belly | Lisa Rowland Brasher, Jelly Belly CEO | Aug 22, 2016 |
| 11 | "Paddington" | 90th birthday of Michael Bond, who wrote the Paddington Bear series | R.W. Alley, Paddington illustrator | Aug 22, 2016 |
| 12 | "Where's Waldo" | Event celebrating the Where's Waldo? animated series | Brian Robinson, Head of Creative Design and Development for DreamWorks Animation | Aug 29, 2016 |
| 13 | "Garfield" | 40th birthday of Garfield | Gregg Berger, voice of Odie | Sep 5, 2016 |
2016 Christmas special
[edit]| No. | Title | Theme/Event | Guest judges | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Christmas: Santa's Makeover" | Inspired by Christmas gifts and Santa Claus | Megan Nicole, singer-songwriter and actress | Nov 14, 2016 |
| 2 | "Christmas: How the Grinch Stole Christmas" | 50th anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! | Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises | Nov 21, 2016 |
| 3 | "Christmas: The Nutcracker" | Inspired by The Nutcracker | Tamera Mowry, actress and host of The Real | Nov 26, 2016 |
| 4 | "Christmas: Animals Celebrate Christmas Too" | Inspired by animals | Yolanda Gampp, cake artist and host of How to Cake It | Dec 5, 2016 |
| 5 | "Christmas: Santa's Workshop" | Inspired by Santa's workshop | Jackie Sorkin, candy artist and television personality | Dec 12, 2016 |
| 6 | "Christmas: Ultimate Christmas Front Yard" | Inspired by Christmas cards and Christmas yard decorations | Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic gold medalist in figure skating | Dec 19, 2016 |
Season 4 (2016-2017)
[edit]| No. | Title | Theme/Event | Guest judges | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Powerpuff Girls" | Event celebrating The Powerpuff Girls, featuring the reboot | Amanda Leighton, Kristen Li, and Natalie Palamides, voice actresses of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup | Sep 12, 2016 |
| 2 | "Wonder Woman" | 75th anniversary of Wonder Woman | Nicola Scott, comic book artist | Sep 19, 2016 |
| 3 | "The Addams Family" | 80th anniversary of The Addams Family | Kevin Miserocchi, Director of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation | Oct 10, 2016 |
| 4 | "Magic" | Event celebrating magic | Mat Franco, magician | Oct 17, 2016 |
| 5 | "Trolls" | Release of DreamsWorks Animation's film Trolls | Walt Dohrn and Mike Mitchell, film directors | Oct 24, 2016 |
| 6 | "Transformers" | Event celebrating Transformers | Simon Waters, Senior VP of Global Brand Licensing for Hasbro | Oct 31, 2016 |
| 7 | "Rugrats" | 25th anniversary of Rugrats | E. G. Daily, voice of Tommy Pickles | Nov 7, 2016 |
| 8 | "Space Jam" | 20th anniversary of Space Jam | Bill Farmer, voice of Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, and Foghorn Leghorn in the film | Nov 7, 2016 |
| 9 | "Rose Bowl" | Inspired by the Rose Bowl Game | Lawrence Jackson, former NFL player and 2008 Rose Bowl champion with USC | Dec 26, 2016 |
| 10 | "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" | Event celebrating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot | Mae Whitman and Greg Cipes, voice actors of April O'Neil and Michelangelo, respectively | Jan 2, 2017 |
| 11 | "Happy Feet" | Happy Feet 10th anniversary celebration at the Aquarium of the Pacific | Luke Richmond, Creative Arts & Science Education Supervisor at the Aquarium of the Pacific | Jan 16, 2017 |
| 12 | "Monopoly" | Event celebrating Monopoly | Rebecca Hollander, Monopoly Brand Director at Hasbro | Jan 23, 2017 |
| 13 | "Roald Dahl" | 100th birthday of Roald Dahl | Chloe Dahl, Roald Dahl's granddaughter | Jan 30, 2017 |
Cake Wars Champs (2017)
[edit]| No. | Title | Theme/Event | Guest judges | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Champs: Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!" | Dr. Seuss' 113th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the Read Across America campaign | Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises | Feb 12, 2017 |
| 2 | "Champs: The Avengers" | Release of volumes 2 and 3 of Avengers: Monsters Unleashed | Stephen Wacker, VP of Animation at Marvel Entertainment | Feb 19, 2017 |
| 3 | "Champs: Shrek" | 10th anniversary of Shrek the Third | Fernanda Abarca, DreamsWorks animator | Feb 26, 2017 |
| 4 | "Champs: LEGO" | Event celebrating LEGO | Amanda Santoro, Senior Manager of Brand Relations at The Lego Group | Mar 5, 2017 |
| 5 | "Champs: Pokemon" | Event celebrating Pokémon | Elvin Gee, Marketing Manager for Pokémon | Mar 19, 2017 |
| 6 | "Saban's Power Rangers" | Release of Power Rangers | Becky G, actress who played the Yellow Ranger | Mar 20, 2017 |
| 7 | "Champs: Disney Princesses" | Event celebrating Disney Princesses | Brittney Lee, visual artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios | Mar 26, 2017 |
| 8 | "Smurfs: The Lost Village" | Release of Smurfs: The Lost Village | Kelly Asbury, director of the film | Mar 27, 2017 |
Contestants
[edit]Season 1 (2015)
[edit]| No. | Title | 4th place | 3rd place | 2nd place | 1st place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Simpsons" |
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| 2 | "DC Comics" |
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| 3 | "The Knot" |
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| 4 | "Nintendo" |
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| 5 | "Hello Kitty" |
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| 6 | "LEGO" |
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| 7 | "The Sound of Music" |
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| 8 | "Girl Scouts" |
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2015 Christmas special
[edit]| No. | Title | Eliminated | Winner: Stocking Stuffer | Winner: Santa's Mega Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Christmas: Ultimate Christmas Lights" |
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| 2 | "Christmas: Who's Coming Down the Chimney?" |
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| 3 | "Christmas: Santa's New Ride" |
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| 4 | "Christmas: Holiday Song" |
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| 5 | "Christmas: Charlie Brown Celebrates" |
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| 6 | "Christmas: Ultimate Gingerbread House" |
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Season 2 (2016)
[edit]| No. | Title | 4th place | 3rd place | 2nd place | 1st place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Star Wars" |
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| 2 | "Dr. Seuss" |
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| 3 | "Kung Fu Panda 3" |
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| 4 | "Minecraft" |
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| 5 | "Valentine's Day" |
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| 6 | "Shark Lagoon" |
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| 7 | "Shrek" |
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| 8 | "Party Animals" |
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| 9 | "Sesame Street" |
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| 10 | "Willy Wonka" |
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| 11 | "Archie" |
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| 12 | "Dinosaurs" |
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| 13 | "Alice in Wonderland" |
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Season 3 (2016)
[edit]| No. | Title | 4th place | 3rd place | 2nd place | 1st place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Captain America" |
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| 2 | "Spongebob" |
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| 3 | "Charlie Brown's All-Stars" |
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| 4 | "How to Train Your Dragon" |
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| 5 | "Emoji" |
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| 6 | "Cobra's Curse" |
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| 7 | "Beauty and the Beast" |
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| 8 | "Halo" |
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| 9 | "Madeline" |
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| 10 | "Jelly Belly" |
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| 11 | "Paddington" |
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| 12 | "Where's Waldo" |
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| 13 | "Garfield" |
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2016 Christmas Special
[edit]| No. | Title | Eliminated | Winner: Stocking Stuffer | Winner: Santa's Mega Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Christmas: Santa's Makeover" |
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| 2 | "Christmas: How the Grinch Stole Christmas" |
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| 3 | "Christmas: The Nutcracker" |
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| 4 | "Christmas: Animals Celebrate Christmas Too" |
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| 5 | "Christmas: Santa's Workshop" |
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| 6 | "Christmas: Ultimate Christmas Front Yard" |
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Season 4 (2016-2017)
[edit]| No. | Title | 4th place | 3rd place | 2nd place | 1st place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Powerpuff Girls" |
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| 2 | "Wonder Woman" |
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| 3 | "The Addams Family" |
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| 4 | "Magic" |
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| 5 | "Trolls" |
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| 6 | "Transformers" |
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| 7 | "Rugrats" |
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| 8 | "Space Jam" |
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| 9 | "Rose Bowl" |
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| 10 | "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" |
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| 11 | "Happy Feet" |
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| 12 | "Monopoly" |
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| 13 | "Roald Dahl" |
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Cake Wars Champs (2017)
[edit]| No. | Title | 4th place | 3rd place | 2nd place | 1st place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Champs: Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!" |
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| 2 | "Champs: The Avengers" |
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| 3 | "Champs: Shrek" |
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| 4 | "Champs: LEGO" |
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| 5 | "Champs: Pokemon" |
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| 6 | "Saban's Power Rangers" |
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| 7 | "Champs: Disney Princesses" |
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| 8 | "Smurfs: The Lost Village" |
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See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ TV News Desk (May 28, 2015). "Food Network to Premiere Cake Wars, 6/29". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ^ "Cake Wars". Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ^ Pena, Jessica (December 2, 2015). "Cake Wars: New Season Coming to Food Network in January". tvseriesfinale.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ^ "Ron Ben-Israel Bio". Food Network. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ^ Unger, Julie (2015). "'Cake Wars' appearance an amazing experience for Jennifer Johnson". Palm Beach Brides. issuu. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "5 Insane, Must-See Cakes Inspired by Pop Culture". Yahoo News. August 4, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "MISSION HILLS LOCAL BUSINESS CAKE, WINS THE FOOD NETWORKS CAKE WARS". Mission Hills Business Improvement District. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Peyton, Lindsay (April 14, 2017). "The cake that won $10,000" (PDF). Westside Seattle. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (July 22, 2015). "This Epic Mario Cake Won Its Creator $10,000". GameSpot. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Cake Wars – Season 1 Episode 8 – Girl Scouts". Elegance in Sugar. n.d. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Pevos, Edward (April 3, 2019). "'Cake Wars' on Food Network features Metro Detroit woman". MLive. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "The Winning Creations from Cake Wars". Food Network. n.d. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Megan (November 6, 2015). "Tarbox bakes up treats, takes on 'Cake Wars'". Southern Maryland News. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Wood, Virginia B. (December 8, 2015). "Cookie Swaps and Cool Yules". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Weiss survives 'Cake Wars: Christmas' again". The Journal. November 30, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c Streeter, Leslie Gray (September 27, 2019). "Local baker scares up some winning holiday cakes on Food Network's 'Halloween Wars'". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hoover, Shane (December 14, 2015). "McKinley grad's team wins 'Cake Wars: Christmas'". Canton Rep. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Campbell, Polly (November 7, 2015). "Local sculptor competes on 'Christmas Cake Wars'". Cincinnati The Enquirer. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Schmidt, Kristen (November 16, 2015). "David Smith of "Cake Wars"". Columbus Alive. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ Klein, Michael (January 11, 2016). "Main Line baker competes on 'Cake Wars'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Star Wars". IMDb. n.d. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Mears-Gerst, Michelle (January 28, 2016). "Local baker to compete tonight on The Food Network's,'Cake Wars'". Sun News & Review. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Laxen, Jake (January 15, 2016). "Sartell baker to be on 'Cake Wars'". SC Times. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Tinsley, Erica (March 24, 2017). "Delta woman beats baking pros to become 2-time 'Cake Wars' champion". 9News. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Allen, David (February 9, 2016). "Prep yourself for readers' colonoscopy comments". Daily Bulletin. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Dickson, Chip (January 10, 2017). "Do You Want to Learn to Bake a Cake? Not Just Any Cake…". Tap Into Springfield. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ O'Toole Kelly, Denise (January 26, 2016). "Ormond Beach designer wins on 'Cake Wars'". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "College to celebrate Grovers' 'Cake Wars' win with a sweet party". Grove City College. 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Funk, Harry (2016). "Bethel Park resident, college roommate win 'Cake Wars'". The Almanac. The Almanac South Hills Community News. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Emily Schoenfeldt". Twitter. February 1, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Schmitt, Brad (February 1, 2016). "Tullahoma baker to be on 'Cake Wars'". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "trulyscrumptiouscakesbybeth". Instagram. n.d. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Vineberg, Andy (June 30, 2018). "Vineberg: Area mother and son baking duo making splash on new Food Network show". The Intelligencer. Norwalk Daily Voice. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "About Us". The Sweet Divine. n.d. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Polansky, Jay (February 12, 2016). "Norwalk Baker Takes Sweet Victory On 'Cake Wars' With Award-Winning Treat". Norwalk Daily Voice. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Route 1 baker's 'Cake Wars' win helped save business". Covering the Corridor. March 17, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Piece of cake: Dat Cake Place owner shows off skills". 4WWL. March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Barker, Ricki (March 3, 2016). "A sweet honor: City of Berea celebrates Smith's achievements with Doodlebug Cake Day". 4WWL. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Adams, Kirby (February 25, 2016). "Local baker competes on Food Network's Cake Wars". Courier Journal. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Handel, Rachel (March 4, 2016). "Grad Ward Wins on The Food Network's "Cake Wars"". The Art Institute of Dallas. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "My Dream of a Claremore Cupcakery is Finally Coming True!". More Claremore. June 8, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Fink, Tom (June 9, 2017). "'Cake Wars' contestant to open bakery in downtown Claremore". The Claremore Daily Progress. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b c Leader, Matt (November 10, 2016). "Avon bakers take second in 'Cake Wars'". Livingston County News. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Mimi Hood". KCCT. n.d. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Lucas, Laurie (March 23, 2016). "FOODIE EMPIRE: New bake shops in Riverside, Redlands". Press Enterprise. The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Fenwick, Muffy (March 21, 2016). "Baltimore Baker Jason Hisley Wins 'Cake Wars'". Baltimore Fishbowl. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Meet Manuel and Kellee Pruitt of Designs By Cake Daddy". Voyage Dallas. April 25, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Klein, Miranda (February 18, 2016). "Watch for Tioga baker on Food Network's 'Cake Wars'". Town Talk. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Mancuso, Kelly Marie (February 4, 2016). "MidVille woman to go to war — a cake war". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "How Shakar Bakery Won Food Network's Cake Wars". Shankar Bakery. March 21, 2016. Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Levine, Cecilia (March 28, 2016). "Hackensack's Pastryarch Competes On Dino-Themed 'Cake Wars' Monday Night". Hackensack Daily Voice. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Phifer, Ivan (October 13, 2016). "Twin Cities Nappy Hour: a showcase for natural hair and Black entrepreneurship". Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Griesemer, Sarah (March 29, 2016). "Toms River bakery takes on 'Cake Wars'". app. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Brie Darling, Musician, Artist & Cake Wars Winner - A Girl On The Go™ Podcast". Stitcher. n.d. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Craven, Tinamarie (December 23, 2020). "Connecticut bakery featured on Netflix show 'Sugar Rush'". Connecticut Post. ctpost. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Bushey, Zak (August 3, 2015). "Cake Mamas Once Again Battling On Food Network Tonight". Glendora City News. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Watch local fave Cute Cakes on Cake Wars tonight!". San Diego's #1 wedding directory for venues, vendors, real weddings, styled shoots, inspiration, & ideas!!. San Diego Wedding. June 6, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Crochet, Dusty (June 8, 2016). "Local teachers take the cake in Food Network competition". KLFY. KLFY.com. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Carter, Brian W. (August 17, 2017). "Taste of Soul Spotlight: Don't Forget The Sugar". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Case, Emily (September 26, 2018). "Seward baker competed in new Netflix baking show airing Friday". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Thibeault, Melanie (June 15, 2016). "North Smithfield's Tardiff wins $10,000 prize on 'Cake Wars'". The Valley Breeze. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
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External links
[edit]Cake Wars
View on GrokipediaOverview
Premise
Cake Wars is an American reality competition series on the Food Network in which four teams of expert bakers compete to design and construct oversized, themed cakes suitable for display at large-scale pop culture or branded celebrations, such as product launches or anniversaries.[2] The central premise revolves around high-stakes challenges where participants must blend creativity, technical skill, and thematic relevance to produce showstopping edible sculptures that could serve as the centerpiece for official events.[7] Each competing team consists of two members: a lead cake artist responsible for the base structure and flavor profile, and an assistant who supports with decoration and assembly.[6] Working under intense time pressure—typically within a few hours—the teams collaborate to execute their visions while adhering to event-specific requirements, such as size, durability, and aesthetic alignment with the theme.[2] The ultimate stakes include a $10,000 cash prize for the winning team, along with the honor of having their cake featured at the episode's tied-in official event, providing exposure and validation of their craftsmanship on a grand scale.[2] This format emphasizes not only visual spectacle but also structural integrity, ensuring the cakes can withstand transportation and public display without compromising their artistic impact.[6]Format and Themes
Each episode of Cake Wars follows a structured competition format featuring four teams of bakers, each consisting of a lead cake artist and an assistant, who vie to create elaborate cakes for a themed event. The competition unfolds over two primary challenges within an approximate 6-hour timeframe, emphasizing both technical baking skills and artistic execution. In the initial build-up round, teams have about 75 minutes to construct a basic cake base that incorporates surprise elements tied to the episode's theme, laying the foundation for the larger sculpture.[6] Following a brief judging interlude, one team is eliminated based on their performance in the first round, leaving three to advance to the sculpting round. This second challenge, lasting around four hours, requires the remaining teams to decorate and sculpt their cakes into detailed representations of the theme, often adding structural supports and intricate fondant work to ensure stability and visual impact.[8] After this round, another team is eliminated, narrowing the field to the final two, who present their completed cakes for the ultimate showdown to determine the winner.[9] Judges evaluate the entries using tastings to assess flavor and texture alongside visual inspections to score creativity, thematic design accuracy, and structural integrity, ensuring the cakes not only look impressive but can withstand transport and display at the event.[10] The thematic focus drives the challenges, with episodes centering on licensed pop culture properties such as The Simpsons, Star Wars, Dr. Seuss characters, or Disney icons, where teams must replicate signature elements like Homer Simpson's donut or Yoda's likeness to capture the essence of the franchise.[11][12][13]Production
Development
Cake Wars debuted on the Food Network on June 29, 2015, as a high-stakes baking competition series inspired by the format of Cupcake Wars but centered on creating elaborate, full-sized themed cakes for major events.[14][1] The show was produced by Super Delicious Productions, with all filming taking place at a studio in Los Angeles, California. Following the success of its first season, Food Network announced the renewal of Cake Wars for a second season on December 2, 2015, with episodes premiering on January 11, 2016.[15] The series continued to gain traction amid the rising popularity of themed baking competitions, leading to additional renewals that extended production through 2017, including seasons three through six.[16][17] The program concluded its regular run after the sixth season in 2017, with no further full-season renewals announced by the network.[1] However, the format lived on through special episodes under the "Cake Wars Champs" banner, featuring returning champion bakers competing in themed challenges, such as those inspired by Marvel's The Avengers and Disney Princesses.[18][19]Hosts and Judges
Jonathan Bennett served as the host for all six seasons of Cake Wars, from 2015 to 2017, where he provided narration, announced time calls during challenges, and conducted interviews with contestants to highlight their creative processes.[2][1] Known for his role as Aaron Samuels in the 2004 film Mean Girls, Bennett brought an enthusiastic and engaging delivery to the show, often injecting humor to maintain energy amid the high-stakes baking competitions.[20][21] The core judging panel consisted of three expert pastry professionals who evaluated contestants' cakes on criteria such as taste, artistry, and structural integrity, remaining consistent throughout the series. Waylynn Lucas, an award-winning pastry chef renowned for blending classic sweets with modern flavor profiles and techniques, focused her critiques on taste balance and innovative flavor combinations.[22][1] Ron Ben-Israel, owner of the couture cake studio Ron Ben-Israel Cakes in New York City and former host of Food Network's Sweet Genius, assessed the artistic design and edible detailing of the cakes, drawing from his expertise in intricate wedding and celebration cake creation.[23][1] Richard Ruskell, an acclaimed executive pastry chef and winner of Food Network's Last Cake Standing as "Best Cake Artist in America," evaluated the structural engineering and sculptural elements, leveraging his background in crafting complex, upscale desserts at luxury venues like Montage Beverly Hills.[24][1] While the primary panel provided stable, specialized feedback—Lucas emphasizing sensory appeal, Ben-Israel prioritizing visual elegance, and Ruskell scrutinizing technical stability—episodes occasionally featured celebrity guest judges aligned with thematic events to add variety.[2]Episode Guide
Season 1 (2015)
Season 1 of Cake Wars premiered on June 29, 2015, on Food Network, marking the debut of the baking competition series with eight episodes airing weekly through August 17, 2015.[25] The season introduced the core format, in which four teams of professional bakers, each paired with a cake assistant, competed in a high-pressure environment to construct elaborate, themed cakes using provided ingredients and decorations. Challenges emphasized structural integrity, artistic detail, and thematic accuracy, with rounds including a "crash" test for stability and a final presentation judged by experts from the theme's domain.[26] The winning team's cake earned a $10,000 prize and the honor of being the centerpiece at a major related event.[27] The episodes showcased an escalating complexity in themes, beginning with iconic pop culture tributes and progressing to multifaceted builds requiring precise replication of characters, settings, and narratives. This arc highlighted the format's potential for creative innovation, as bakers adapted to increasingly demanding specifications like functional elements and large-scale assemblies. The premiere episode attracted 1.021 million total viewers, providing key context for the show's early reception in the competitive food programming landscape.[28] Note: Season numbering may vary by source; this guide follows the convention used in the article (Season 1: June–August 2015). The season's episodes and their highlights are summarized below:| Episode | Title | Air Date | Theme | Winning Cake Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Simpsons | June 29, 2015 | Family-themed cake for TV milestone | Featured at a major anniversary bash honoring The Simpsons.[27] |
| 2 | DC Comics | July 6, 2015 | Superhero structures | Displayed at a DC Comics celebration event.[29] |
| 3 | The Knot | July 13, 2015 | Wedding event | Served at a dream wedding provided by TheKnot.com.[30] |
| 4 | Nintendo | July 20, 2015 | Video game icons | Presented at a Super Mario Bros. celebration.[31] |
| 5 | Hello Kitty | July 27, 2015 | Character tour launch | Showcased at the launch of Hello Kitty's North American tour.[32] |
| 6 | Lego | August 3, 2015 | Building block replicas | Centered at a party in LEGO's flagship store.[33] |
| 7 | The Sound of Music | August 10, 2015 | Musical anniversary tribute | Highlighted during the 50th anniversary celebration of The Sound of Music.[34] |
| 8 | Girl Scouts | August 17, 2015 | Youth organization finale | Featured at a national celebration for the Girl Scouts of America.[35] |
Season 2 (2016)
The second season of Cake Wars premiered on January 11, 2016, on Food Network, expanding to 13 episodes that aired weekly through April 25, 2016, marking a significant increase from the eight episodes of Season 1.[36] This longer run allowed for greater thematic variety, drawing on licensed properties from major studios to create elaborate cake challenges centered around blockbuster films, books, and games. The season maintained the core competition format, with four teams of bakers vying to produce oversized, themed cakes for high-profile events, judged by pastry experts Waylynn Lucas and Ron Ben-Israel, and hosted by Jonathan Bennett.[1] Episodes showcased ambitious themes tied to cultural phenomena, such as the "Star Wars" premiere on January 11, where bakers crafted cakes for a Disney-hosted launch party celebrating the franchise's latest video game; "Dr. Seuss" on January 18, featuring whimsical designs for a book-inspired gala; "The Avengers" on March 14, with superhero motifs for a Marvel fan event; "Shrek" on February 29, highlighting DreamWorks animation for a family festival; and "LEGO" on April 25, incorporating buildable elements for a toy convention showcase.[37] Other notable themes included "Kung Fu Panda 3," "Minecraft," "Valentine's Day," "Finding Dory," and "The Little Mermaid," each requiring contestants to integrate licensed characters and narratives into structurally complex, edible sculptures under time constraints. This season's heightened reliance on official licensing agreements with entities like Disney, DreamWorks, and Warner Bros. enabled more immersive tie-ins, elevating the production's spectacle and promotional partnerships compared to the inaugural season.[12] Innovations in Season 2 included slightly extended episode runtimes of approximately 42 minutes, providing additional screen time for detailing the baking process and creative decision-making, which facilitated more intricate builds such as multi-tiered structures with moving parts and detailed fondant figurines.[38] Winning cakes were prominently featured at real-world events, underscoring the stakes; for instance, the "Star Wars" episode victor supplied the centerpiece for Disney's video game launch bash, while the "Dr. Seuss" winner's creation headlined a literary celebration at a major convention.[12] These placements highlighted the season's growth in scale, with victors receiving $10,000 prizes alongside the honor of their work appearing at licensed promotional gatherings.[39]Season 3 (2016)
Season 3 of Cake Wars aired on Food Network from June 6 to August 29, 2016, comprising 13 episodes that showcased intensified competition among professional bakers.[40] The season emphasized mid-series momentum through diverse, high-stakes themes tied to pop culture icons and events, with teams racing against tighter timelines to construct multi-tiered cakes incorporating licensed elements like characters and logos.[41] Each episode followed the core format of two preliminary rounds leading to a final build, judged by experts including Ron Ben-Israel and Waylynn Lucas, with guest judges from the theme's franchise providing specialized input.[2] The episodes highlighted a range of engaging themes, drawing from animation, film, and brands to appeal to broad audiences. The premiere focused on Captain America, where bakers crafted cakes for a 75th anniversary celebration, featuring guest judge Stephen Wacker, Marvel's VP of Animation; the winning design was integrated into an official Marvel event.[42] Episode 2 centered on SpongeBob SquarePants, with teams recreating Bikini Bottom scenes for a themed party, judged by voice actor Tom Kenny.[43] Other notable installments included Charlie Brown's All-Stars (episode 3), commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Peanuts special with baseball-themed cakes; How to Train Your Dragon (episode 4), tying into the franchise's animated world; Emoji (episode 5), challenging bakers to interpret digital icons in edible form with guest judge Gedeon Maheux of Iconfactory; and Cobra's Curse (episode 6), inspired by the Busch Gardens roller coaster launch.[44] Later episodes explored Garfield (episode 7), Beauty and the Beast (episode 8), Madeline (episode 9), Jelly Belly (episode 10, with CEO Lisa Rowland Brasher as guest judge), Star Wars video game release celebration (episode 11), and Powerpuff Girls (episode 12), each culminating in the victor's cake starring at a promotional event.[41] The finale (episode 13) revolved around Alice in Wonderland, marking the 65th anniversary of Disney's adaptation, where bakers vied for a spot at a Wonderland-themed gala.[45] Competition dynamics in Season 3 featured accelerated pacing, with reduced build times in later rounds to heighten tension and test precision under pressure, contributing to the show's growing popularity.[2] Winner highlights included Wiley and Tiffanie Saccheri of Cake Artist in Redding, California, taking the How to Train Your Dragon episode on June 27, 2016, with their dragon-scaled cake displayed at a DreamWorks Animation event.[46] In the Garfield episode airing August 10, 2016, The Cake Boutique from Warren, Michigan, prevailed with a lasagna-inspired centerpiece featured at a Garfield promotional gathering.[47] These victories underscored the season's blend of creativity and speed, as winning cakes were prominently showcased at real-world events, amplifying the bakers' exposure.[2]Season 4 (2016–2017)
Season 4 of Cake Wars premiered on September 12, 2016, and concluded on January 30, 2017, spanning 13 episodes that marked a transition into the holiday viewing period with extended production scheduling to capitalize on year-end family audiences.[48] The season emphasized family-oriented themes drawn from animated series, classic films, children's literature, and pop culture anniversaries, evolving from prior seasons' broader mix by prioritizing content suitable for intergenerational appeal during winter months. This shift included motifs like cartoon reboots and whimsical adventures, reflecting adjustments in production to align with festive, branded events such as movie releases and milestone celebrations.[49] The episodes followed the established competition format, where four teams of bakers raced against time to construct elaborate, multi-tiered cakes incorporating specific themes, with challenges involving blindfolded elements, flavor infusions, and structural innovations. Winners received $10,000 and the opportunity to have their cake displayed as the centerpiece at official branded parties, enhancing the season's focus on high-profile integrations.[50] Notable examples included cakes for the Trolls movie premiere, where the victor's design anchored the event's decorations, and the Roald Dahl centennial celebration, featuring literary-inspired confections showcased at a dedicated gathering.[51] These highlights underscored the season's role in bridging baking artistry with commercial tie-ins, such as the Transformers event judged by Hasbro representatives, where the winning cake's robotic elements were prominently featured.[52]| Episode | Theme/Event | Air Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Powerpuff Girls | September 12, 2016 | Bakers crafted superhero cakes for the series reboot, judged by voice actresses Tara Strong, Cathy Cavadini, and E.G. Daily. |
| 2 | Wonder Woman | September 19, 2016 | 75th anniversary celebration with Amazonian warrior-themed designs. |
| 3 | The Addams Family | October 10, 2016 | 80th anniversary featuring gothic, creepy cakes for a family reunion event. |
| 4 | Magic (Mat Franco) | October 17, 2016 | Illusion-inspired cakes for magician Mat Franco's party, emphasizing tricks and elaborate reveals. |
| 5 | Trolls | October 24, 2016 | Vibrant, musical cakes tied to the film's release, with hair and creature elements. Winner: Ann Alaboud of Sweet Treasures Bakery (Lakeville, Minnesota).[53][51] |
| 6 | Transformers | October 31, 2016 | Robotic vehicle transformations in cake form for a Hasbro-sponsored gathering.[52] |
| 7 | Rugrats | November 7, 2016 | 25th anniversary with baby adventure motifs, judged by voice actress Elizabeth Daily. |
| 8 | Space Jam | November 14, 2016 | 20th anniversary basketball crossover cakes, incorporating Looney Tunes and NBA icons. |
| 9 | Rose Bowl | December 26, 2016 | Football game-themed cakes for the New Year's event, focusing on team spirit and stadium replicas. |
| 10 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | January 2, 2017 | Reboot celebration with pizza and martial arts-inspired designs, judged by voice actors Greg Cipes and Mae Whitman.[54] |
| 11 | Happy Feet | January 16, 2017 | 10th anniversary Antarctic adventure cakes displayed at the Aquarium of the Pacific. |
| 12 | Monopoly | January 23, 2017 | Board game empire-building cakes, judged by Hasbro's Rebecca Hollander. |
| 13 | Roald Dahl | January 30, 2017 | 100th birthday tribute with whimsical, storybook elements from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and others, judged by granddaughter Chloe Dahl. |
Season 5 (2017)
[Content for a standard Season 5 in 2017 is not clearly defined in sources as separate from specials or Champs; potential overlap with Christmas specials or transition to Season 6. To avoid duplication with Special Episodes, this subsection is omitted pending clarification from primary sources like Food Network. Christmas-themed content is covered under Special Episodes.]Season 6 (2017)
Season 6, subtitled Cake Wars Champs, marked the final regular season of the series and premiered on February 12, 2017, on Food Network.[56] This season featured six episodes in which returning champion teams from previous seasons competed in intense baking challenges inspired by popular pop culture icons, with the goal of creating elaborate, themed cakes for major celebratory events.[57] Each competition emphasized precision artistry and speed, as teams constructed multi-tiered cakes under time constraints, judged on taste, design, and thematic accuracy by hosts Jonathan Bennett, Waylynn Lucas, and Ron Ben-Israel, along with guest experts.[1] The winning team in every episode received $10,000 and the honor of having their cake as the centerpiece at the corresponding real-world event.[18] The season's episodes centered on diverse themes drawn from literature, film, toys, and animation, showcasing the competitors' ability to translate beloved franchises into edible masterpieces. Below is a summary of the episodes:| Episode | Title | Air Date | Theme/Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Champs: Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! | February 12, 2017 | Dr. Seuss' 113th birthday and Read Across America campaign |
| 2 | Champs: The Avengers | February 19, 2017 | Marvel's The Avengers franchise |
| 3 | Champs: Shrek | February 26, 2017 | 15th anniversary of Shrek (2001) |
| 4 | Champs: LEGO | March 5, 2017 | LEGO toys and builds |
| 5 | Champs: Pokémon | March 19, 2017 | Pokémon franchise |
| 6 | Champs: Disney Princesses | March 26, 2017 | Disney Princess characters |
