Food Network treats viewers to Halloween specials

from The Brainerd Dispatch TV Week September 22nd 2019

by Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal

Sins of the father

By Michelle Rose TV Media

It’s the season for “PSL” and all other things pumpkin-spiced. But while I’m alternating between savoring the season and preserving its flavors to last the winter, retailers and TV networks are thinking more short term: Halloween.

(Craft and dollar stores quietly stocked their shelves with spooky decorations back in August, so I shouldn’t be surprised by the timing. And yet, I am. Every year.)

Food Network has a good reason to start introducing its Halloween specials now: with fewer than 40 days to go until trick-or- treating time, any seasonal series with four or more episodes needs to start its run now in order to wrap up by Oct. 31. Besides, a lot of us will need inspiration for sweet treats to bake in October for fundraisers, parties and work or school events.

The spookiest of seasons begins on Food Network with backto-back premieres of “Halloween Baking Championship” and “Halloween Cake Off” on Monday, Sept. 23.

“Halloween Baking Championship” is a prime-time staple this time of year, and its format hasn’t changed from seasons past. John Henson returns to host this fifth edition, while Katie Lee joins show veterans Carla Hall and Zac Young at the judges table.

The competition starts off with eight bakers whose scarily tasty desserts will determine whether they survive elimination, beginning with this week’s skeleton and monster-themed challenges. They’re all battling for a chance to win the $25,000 grand prize and a feature profile in “Food Network Magazine.”

Up next is “Halloween CakeOff.” This one’s a new addition to the seasonal lineup, but it’s fronted by a familiar face: Duff Goldman. The famous baker is also cohost of “Kids Halloween Baking

Championship” along with Valerie Bertinelli, and that special competition series premieres on Thursday, Sept. 26.

But back to “Halloween CakeOff.” Four pro bakers from across the country will compete in the most unconventional baking and design challenges yet, including this week’s “living dead test,” in which they must mix ingredients that are “dead and dark” with those that are “colorful and alive.” At the end of the four-episode inaugural run, judges Goldman, Dan Langan and Waylynn Lucas will declare the ultimate winner of the $10,000 grand prize.

Sunday, Sept. 22

1:00 p.m. (9) KAWE Lidia’s Kitchen Lidia shares chocolate desserts and a creamy risotto recipe.

Hosted by: Lidia Bastianich

2:00 p.m. (9) KAWE The Great British Baking Show Follow the 11 remaining bakers tasked with making 24 elaborately decorated biscuits. Hosted by: Sue Perkins, Mel Giedroyc

Monday, Sept. 23