One of our favourite larger-than-life baking competitions is back for another exciting season! And this year, the Halloween themes are going huge with the scary factor (you’ll have to tune into each episode, and rate your favourites!). Read on to find out who is in the hot seat for judging these amazing and large scale cake creations.
Brad Smith
Hometown: Toronto, ON
A man for all seasons, host Brad Smith taught himself to cook while he was a wide receiver and slotback in the CFL. After six seasons playing football, Brad appeared as the Bachelor in The Bachelor Canada before stepping into a hosting role on Breakfast Television. Brad’s new path in television and love for food made him a perfect fit as the host of Chopped Canada. Most recently, Brad can be seen using his love for sports on GamePlan, an all-encompassing sports and sports betting show.
But Brad’s strongest passion is for continually stepping outside the norm and not simply being defined by the TV screen. Brad has been an early-stage investor in many small- to medium-cap companies, is the Vice-President of Communications for Hempstead Private Capital, and he recently used his finance background and love of food to create tech start-up “Gourmé,” which launches Fall 2022. But his most proud accomplishment is the annual scholarship he provides to a Guelph University Football Receiver.
Danni Rose
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Danni Rose is a self-taught home cook and cookbook author who became an Internet sensation after sharing her childhood memories and delicious, yet unexpected recipes with the world. Her love for all things food, cooking and culture began in her father’s juke joint in Birmingham, Alabama, at the tender age of 10. To date, Danni’s recipes have been viewed more than 500 million times, earning her international fame and making her a household name. Like Danni, her food is modern but packed with tons of old school flava!
Eddie Jackson
Hometown: Houston, TX
Eddie Jackson is a former NFL player turned celebrity chef. After five seasons in the NFL, he turned his attention to his lifelong love of cooking and competed in Season 4 of Fox’s MasterChef, where he finished eighth. He is now the owner of Rosehill Beer Garden and Food Truck Park in Cypress, Texas, and host of Christmas Cookie Challenge, the Cooking Channel’s Food Truck Face Off and Yum & Yummer, and the upcoming series Chef vs Schmo. He is also a frequent judge on Beat Bobby Flay, Guy’s Grocery Games and Fire Masters.
Ron Ben-Israel
Hometown: New York, NY
Ron Ben-Israel became the chef-owner of one of the most established couture cake studios in the world after 15 years as a professional modern dancer. In 1999, Ron established his flagship design studio and bakery in SoHo. Fifteen years later he opened a new facility, Above Twelve, which includes an event space, a design studio, cake showroom, production kitchen and a teaching classroom.
Ron’s cakes have been featured in countless media outlets, including The New York Times, InStyle, Vogue, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Martha Stewart Show. In 2011, Ron became host and judge of the hit series Sweet Genius. Since then, he has been a favourite judge and guest on numerous programs, including: Chopped, America’s Best Cook, Worst Cooks in America, Guy’s Grocery Games, Halloween Baking Championship and All-Star Gingerbread Build. Ron had also been a co-judge on Cake Wars for three seasons and has appeared on Netflix’s Nailed It!