Today, I am talking about a reality TV show - that is NOT Real Housewives of Dallas! Dallas provides Hollywood with a hotbed of talent for reality and competition TV shows and the latest resident to tale the plunge is local baker, Audrey McGinnis, who is competing in a new show on Food Network called Spring Baking Championship. Audrey is the owner of Every Girl Gourmet, which creates a fun and interactive an interactive cooking experience. Her website explains that as the party host, you get to pick which appetizer, main course and dessert menu you want to learn how to cook and Every Girl Gourmet will do the shopping, prep-work, and clean-up while you relax, enjoy a glass of wine or fun cocktail, and learn step-by-step how to make an impressive 3 course meal. At the end of the evening you’ll have a great experience with friends and delicious food, a recipe card with detailed instructions on how to recreate your meal, and the confidence in knowing that “Every Girl (or Guy)” can create a gourmet meal. Her goal is to show you that you don’t have to be a trained chef to experiment and enjoy the process of cooking. But enough about that... back to the show.
According to the Food Network's website, "Eight of the nation’s best bakers will compete (in Spring Baking Championship) to create impressive springtime treats for the approval of returning judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller and Lorraine Pascale. And back to host this confectionary competition is Bobby Deen. In the end only one baker will rise to the top to win the title of Spring Baking Champion and $50,000. The competitors must face new challenges, all featuring spring themes and seasonal ingredients. But it won’t be an easy task, and there will be surprise twists along the way. No matter what the competitors bake, their creativity and ability will measured in each of the six hour-long episodes. After the first round one baker has the opportunity to earn a special advantage for the main challenge, but will it be enough to help gain a win? Find out more about the baking challenges ahead in Season 2."
Audrey told me, "(This show) was such a blast to be a part of. I was teamed up against some of the best bakers in the nation and was so honored to be considered in their caliber of talent. I competed against bakers that own their own bakeries, chocolatiers and even one that was the pastry chef for Wolfgang Puck's Spago for 13 years! Bobby and all the judges were actually a delight to work with and the Food Network as a whole was a dream!! From the drivers, to the 20+ camera people in our faces, to the producers.... everyone was so supportive and all worked together with the goal of producing a great show!!" I've been around reality and competition TV shows long enough to know that it can get ugly and competitive real quick, but Audrey told me, "Having had the experience of being on MasterChef, I had an idea of what to expect, but even that experience could not have prepared me for how much fun I would have on this show. I can't say enough about my fellow contestants. I have truly made friends for a life time.... even the Food Network folks commented on how friendly, supportive and kind we were to each other. They even commented on how they had never seen a group of people bond so quickly and be so encouraging to each other. You are thrown into a crazy situation that not many people can understand, so being joined with such an amazing group of people to share this ride was a true blessing! I loved being a part of this show because it allowed me to follow my culinary goal of showing people that you don't have to be a trained chef to create delicious food! I hope that my dishes will inspire people to experiment in the kitchen and take chances on things they may not be very comfortable with. My motto of "Why not me?" continues to open doors and allows me to experience some amazing opportunities. I want my 4 kiddos to ask that of themselves too! There is nothing that is impossible, you just have to try! In fact, that attitude has already paid off again - I am honored to already be on another Food Network show that will air some time this summer!!" MAJOR SCOOP RIGHT THERE! The first episode has already aired and Audrey made the cut! Tune in for the remainder of the season every Sunday evening 9|8 CST.
photos c/o of Food Network