It’s time for judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Silverton and Carla Hall to make merry in this year’s Holiday Baking Championship, where bakers face off yet again for the chance to win $25,000 and bragging rights for the winning title. Season 9 kicks off with a fresh batch of 12 contestants, all ready to fire up their ovens in the hopes of becoming the next Holiday Baking Champion.
Contestant Aaron Davis, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Aaron Davis
Surprise, AZ
A cake decorator based out of Arizona, Aaron has been baking since childhood and doing it professionally for six years. His baking dreams won him a scholarship after high school to attend The Culinary Institute of America. He says winning Holiday Baking Championship would boost his confidence in his career and make his younger self proud.
Contestant Christine Herelle-Lewis, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Christine Herelle-Lewis
New York, NY
From an office job to baking, French-born Christine switched careers when she was 40 and went to pastry school in Paris. With 10 years of professional pastry chef experience behind her, Christine “is looking to use any of the prize money to help build her own professional kitchen.”
Contestant Antoine Hopkins, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Antoine Hopkins
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania-based pastry chef Antoine is a single father who loves the holiday cheer and spending time with his children. A graduate of culinary school, he wants to make his kids proud and to show them that they can achieve their dreams by winning Holiday Baking Championship.
Contestant RaChelle Hubsmith, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
RaChelle Hubsmith
Salt Lake City, UT
She’s a home baker and real estate appraiser, but RaChelle can also close the deal in the kitchen. This self-taught baker has won awards all across the country for both her recipes and intricate designs, and is now setting her sights on the title of Holiday Baking Champion.
Contestant Bill Makin, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Bill Makin
Brooklyn, NY
Bill is a man of many talents: a home baker, New York-based realtor and classically trained violinist. After he fell in love with baking in college, Bill also spends his time decorating cakes and rewarding friends and family with baked treats at Christmas.
Contestant Aishia Martinez, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Aishia Martinez
Hoboken, NJ
Puerto Rican-born pastry cook Aishia now hails from New Jersey but plans to bring the flavours of her roots to the baking championship. She hopes to use the prize money to open a Latin bakery which will put a spotlight on flavours and recipes from her culture.
Contestant Harshal Naik, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Harshal Naik
Bedford, PA
Pennsylvanian pastry chef Harshal originally came from a small town in India. He spent 12 years as a pastry chef on a cruise line, where he not only met his wife, but also picked up an assortment of dessert techniques from around the world.
Contestant Zakiya Newton, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Zakiya Newton
Gotha, FL
Zakiya spends her time running her home bakery in Florida — a business she hopes to grow with the winnings from the competition. She loves spending Christmas morning with her family, and sharing the holiday joy over breakfast.
Contestant Sumera Syed, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Sumera Syed
Dallas, TX
Originally hailing from London, England, home baker and entrepreneur Sumera now resides in Texas. She’s brought many skill sets to the competition from her wide variety of careers: singer in a heavy metal band, private investigator and ordained minister, to name a few.
Contestant Dru Tevis, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Dru Tevis
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Corporate pastry chef Dru oversees the dessert programs in 16 restaurants throughout Delaware, but still wants to win the competition to prove his skills to himself. He loves to spend the holidays with his husband and two dogs at home.
Contestant Jessica Wang, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Jessica Wang
Los Angeles, CA
A California-based pastry food stylist from California, Jessica has degrees in food business and management, as well as baking and pastry. She’s the youngest competitor, but brings her experience in both food design and dessert decorating to the Holiday Baking Championship kitchen.
Contestant Kristen Weidlein, portrait, as seen on Holiday Baking Championship, Season 9. Photo by Rob Pryce.
Kristen Weidlein
Staten Island, NY
New York-based executive pastry chef Kristen has significant experience, having worked in a two-star Michelin restaurant, chocolate shops and bakeries. She still takes joy in the holiday season and always gets into the spirit each year.
Tune into Holiday Baking Championship, Mondays at 8 p.m ET/PT on Food Network Canada. Also Available on the Global TV App and STACKTV with Amazon Prime Video Channels, fuboTV, Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream.