Meet the Competitors of Holiday Baking Championship, Season 7

Get to know the twelve bakers competing for a chance to win $25,000 and the title of Holiday Baking Champion.

Photo By: Rob Pryce

A Fresh Batch of Holiday Bakers

Learn more about the fresh faces competing in the ultimate holiday competition.

Jon Buatti — Auburn, NH

Jon is a twenty-six-year-old bakery owner who is also known for making his specialty Moscow Mule around the holidays.

Lorenzo Delgado — Miami

Lorenzo is a pastry chef at a hotel in Miami Beach. "I am so into competitions, and I hate losing. So, watch out," he said.

Kess Eshun — Frisco, TX

Kess is a pastry chef, bakery owner and the mother of three boys. Kess wants to win the Holiday Baking Championship and prove to her kids that you should always chase your dreams.

Jeffrey Gray — Atlanta

After working in the advertising industry for thirty-three years, Jeff gave it all up to become a home baker. The self-described "Santa from Atlanta," hopes winning Holiday Baking Championship will help him launch his hobby into something much more.

Julianna Jung — Champaign, IL

Julianna works in the healthcare industry but spends her free time baking. She wants to compete against professional pastry chefs to prove to herself that she has the potential to take her baking to the next level.

Jamaal Nettles — Atlanta

Jamaal is a home baker who's baking style is all about comfort. "All you need is a little bit of butter and maybe a couple pieces of bacon and you've got a delicious start to whatever you're doing," he said.

Jonathan Peregrino — Detroit

After fifteen years in the corporate world, Jonathan left it all behind to follow his dream and passion for baking.

Eva Roberts — Spokane

Eva owns her own bakery which has been up and running for thirty-five years. Eva isn't worried about competing against the younger bakers. "I still feel like I'm twenty-five in my mind," she said.

Megan Rountree — Keller, TX

Megan is a bakery owner and for as long as she can remember, dessert has always been her responsibility during the holidays. "If it's sweet it is there," she said.

Lashonda Sanford — Newport News, VA

Lashonda is a bakery owner known for her skillet apple pie and southern gooey bars.

Aubrey Shaffner — Baltimore

Aubrey is a pastry chef who is used to a very busy holiday season. "We celebrate Hanukkah on my mom's side, we celebrate Christmas on my dad's side and my birthday is Christmas Eve," she said.

Kristina Stephenson — Spokane

Kristina is a pastry chef and a self-proclaimed perfectionist convinced her attention to detail will make her the star at the top of the Holiday Baking Championship tree.

On Tonight

Holiday Baking Championship