Watch a Sneak Peek: Top-Tier Pastry Chefs Battle It Out in 'The Ultimate Baking Championship'

Sixteen elite pastry chefs push their innovation and execution skills to the limit in Food Network's new series The Ultimate Baking Championship — premiering Monday, March 9 at 9|8c on Food Network and streaming the next day on HBO Max and discovery+.

What Is The Ultimate Baking Championship About?

In each episode, host Jesse Palmer tests competitors on the core techniques outstanding pastry chefs must master, from laminated dough and pâte à choux to chocolate work and sugar artistry.

Each week, pastry chef Duff Goldman is joined by a baking legend to determine which baker has the skill, vision and endurance to rise above the rest — and who will leave the competition. Guest judges include Bryan Ford, Amaury Guichon, Shinmin Li, Jacques Torres, Sherry Yard, Molly Yeh and Zac Young. In the end, only one pastry chef will be named The Ultimate Baking Champion and win the $50,000 grand prize.

In the series premiere, Jesse randomly splits the chefs into two groups. They're then tasked with creating a dessert featuring one of the four tastes — sweet, salty, sour or bitter — combined with a specific texture. Each baker must craft an elevated plated dessert in their signature style inspired by their assigned profile to present to the judges. After several eliminations, the remaining bakers advance to the Master Challenge, where the chefs must create a dessert inspired by the roots of their baking journey.

Upcoming episodes include a science-inspired dessert battle, 3-D chocolate sculptural challenge and larger-than-life theatrical experience edible displays. In the finale on Monday, May 4, Duff is joined by Shinmin, Jacques and Sherry to decide which remaining pastry chef wins $50,000 and the crown.

Who is Competing in The Ultimate Baking Championship?

The competitors are:

• Julian Belon (Miami, Florida)
• Florencia Breda (San Luis Obispo, California)
• Molly Coen (Monterey, California)
• Rochelle Cooper (Washington DC)
• Sarah Craichy (Lake Tahoe, Nevada)
• Adalberto Diaz (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Casey Doody (Chicago, Illinois)
• Arlety Estévez (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Robert Gonzalez (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Juan Gutierrez (Chicago, Illinois)
• Clement Le Deore (San Diego, California)
• Oralia Perez (Houston, Texas)
• Lasheeda Perry (Fort Walton Beach, Florida)
• Cesar Ryan Sajulan (Brooklyn, New York)
• Christopher Teixeira (Chicago, Illinois)
• Steven Weiss (Martinsburg, West Virginia).

How to Watch The Ultimate Baking Championship

The Ultimate Baking Championship airs on Food Network Monday nights at 9|8c beginning on March 9. Episodes will be available to stream on HBO Max and discovery+ starting the next day.Check out Food Network’s Instagram to go behind the scenes of the competition and learn impressive baking techniques from Duff, Shinmin, Jacques and more. Stay up to date on The Ultimate Baking Championship news, learn about the competitors and more on FoodNetwork.com.

Catch a sneak peek of the all-new series HERE.