In Season 4 of Great Chocolate Showdown, 10 passionate home bakers enter the decadent world of chocolate, competing for an impressive grand prize through a series of imaginative and thrilling chocolate-based challenges. To stay in the game and avoid elimination each week, these dessert enthusiasts must impress a distinguished panel of expert judges — Anna Olson, Cynthia Stroud and Steve Hodge — with their scrumptious and creative treats. Ultimately, three bakers face the ultimate chocolate challenge, but only one will emerge as the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown Champion’ and take home the $50,000 grand prize.
Let’s meet this season’s 10 talented contestants!
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Ally Hrbachek — Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Ally Hrbachek, a stay-at-home mom, was inspired by the baking shows she enjoyed during her childhood and started baking after her first daughter was born in 2017. What started as a fun pastime quickly transformed into a passion. Now, as the daughter of a teen mom and a residential school survivor, Ally is committed to mentoring in her community, serving as a beacon of strength and determination.
Charli Coakley Jr. — Jacksonville, North Carolina
Music instructor Charli Coakley Jr. discovered his passion for baking and chocolate as a child while helping his mom in the kitchen. After being recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, he has found that baking provides him with a comforting escape, allowing him to unwind and reconnect with himself. One of his favourite techniques in the kitchen is blending sweet and savoury flavours.
Ashlee Pridgen — Baltimore, Maryland
Ashlee is a stickler for rules in her role as a medical assistant, but when she steps into the kitchen, she embraces a more carefree vibe. With her favourite R&B tunes playing, she sings and dances her way through the baking process. Baking is a special activity for Ashlee and her 12-year-old daughter, where they explore new recipes together. Ashlee hopes to show her daughter that she can accomplish anything she aspires to with determination.
Mike Casner — Chicago, Illinois
When he’s not busy saving lives as an emergency physician, Mike enjoys spending time in the kitchen, letting his creativity flow and embracing a bit of messiness. Fresh fruit is one of his favourite ingredients, and he loves incorporating it to elevate the taste of chocolate. Mike is competing not just for himself but also in memory of his late husband, Patrick, who he lost to skin cancer last year. Through this journey, he hopes to motivate others to pursue their dreams, no matter their obstacles.
Donna Kim — Langley, British Columbia
As a props builder in the film industry, Donna delights in using her hands and creativity to make imaginative creations. Her artistic side also comes alive in the kitchen, where she enjoys crafting desserts with unexpected flavour blends and eye-catching colours.
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Raplheal Williams — Fayetteville, North Carolina
A retired Army soldier, Raplheal has cherished childhood memories of watching his grandmother bake in the kitchen. He started by making boxcakes at home but soon his birthday cakes became a hit with friends and family. This success inspired him to craft cakes from scratch, and his baking expertise flourished from there.
Emma Lee-Young — Coquitlam, British Columbia
From an early age, food has been central to Emma’s life. She cherished weekends spent making breakfast with her mother and gained valuable baking skills from her aunt, who encouraged her to be inventive in the kitchen. In high school, Emma was affectionately called “the girl who likes to bake.” And she made it a tradition to share her famous pumpkin cookies with her classmates every Thanksgiving.
Tim Eford — Atlanta, Georgia
Tim, a police detective, took up baking less than a year ago to manage the pressures of his job. His wife and their three kids are his main sources of inspiration in the kitchen. When his son was diagnosed with a dairy allergy, Tim decided to embrace vegan baking, ensuring his son could still indulge in delicious treats.
Kristen Washington — Jackson, Mississippi
Kristen made the leap from the service industry to becoming a food delivery driver, allowing her to manage her own schedule. This change means she can dedicate more time to her baking hobby! With her artistic flair influencing her culinary creations, Kristen might create a bit of chaos while baking, but the results are always stunning. Her family and friends can’t get enough of her delicious funnel cakes.
Meredith Bridges — Temple, Texas
Meredith — a proud mother of three — has just earned her Master’s degree in Economic Development in Entrepreneurship. She believes that baking is her way of expressing love, with each sweet treat symbolizing her affection for her family. As a busy mom, she enjoys whipping up quick, delicious and easy-to-make desserts. She also has a passion for experimenting with chocolate, whether it’s baking, tasting or discovering new recipes.