Kids Sweets Showdown is a thrilling competition show that features young amateur bakers competing against each other to showcase their inherent and creative baking talents. The show premiered on Food Network in 2016 and was hosted by the renowned television personality, Alison Sweeney. Sweeney, who is credited for her role in Days of Our Lives, The Biggest Loser, and The Biggest Loser: Families, serves as a guide and mentor to the young contestants as they navigate through the competition.
To make the show captivating for both the contestants and the viewers, Food Network selected two celebrity judges - Sharone Hakman and Harley Morenstein. Hakman, known for his appearance on the reality cooking show MasterChef, has a reputation as a BBQ and grilling expert. He adjudicates the contestants' final products based on flavor, taste, and consistency. Morenstein, on the other hand, is famous for his entertaining culinary content on YouTube and online media. He looks at the categories of creativity, presentation, and entertainment value.
The bakers who participate in the show come from all walks of life, ranging from age six to sixteen, and are grouped together in pairs for each episode. They all possess exceptional qualities and skills, and throughout the show, they demonstrate their artistic abilities by creating some of the most decadent and mouth-watering desserts possible. Some of the treats they make include cakes, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and much more.
In each episode, the young bakers are presented with two challenges of varying difficulty levels that test their culinary skills, creativity, and speed. The contestants are given a short amount of time to create a particular dessert, following a set of regulations, such as using an unusual ingredient to enhance flavor or presenting a specific thematic element. The first challenge is designed to be quick and straightforward, with the contestants being given only 30 minutes to complete their baked creations.
After completing the first challenge, the contestants head to the second round, where they are required to create a dessert masterpiece that captures the theme of the episode. This task is more complicated, and the contestants have 90 minutes to make a dessert that is not only visually stunning but delicious as well. The contestants are given free rein to create any dish they can imagine, provided it aligns with the theme.
Throughout the competition, the contestants are given guidance and feedback from Sweeney, Hakman, and Morenstein. They also receive aid from a team of kitchen assistants to ensure that they have all the necessary equipment and ingredients to complete their delectable delights.
The show features a variety of themes, from holiday-inspired desserts to carnival-inspired sweets. For instance, in one episode, the bakers are tasked with creating a Thanksgiving-themed dessert, which involves the use of pumpkin, pecans, and cranberries. In another episode, the bakers are asked to create desserts that capture the essence of a popular board game. The contestants are then judged based on their ability to incorporate specific elements, such as colors and shapes, into their desserts.
Overall, Kids Sweets Showdown is a fun and entertaining competition show that showcases the remarkable talent of young bakers in a way that is exciting and creative. The combination of talented young bakers, exciting challenges, and expert judges makes the show a must-watch for anyone who loves sweet treats, baking, or good competition. Whether it's a birthday cake competition or a Halloween-themed challenge, Kids Sweets Showdown is sure to delight and entertain viewers of all ages.
Kids Sweets Showdown is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between November 30, 2016 and on Food Network