Warner Bros. Discovery has officially announced the upcoming baking competition series, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, which combines the enchanting lore of the Harry Potter universe with the art of baking. Set to premiere on November 14 at 8 p.m. ET on Food Network, the show invites audiences to enjoy a thrilling combination of legendary storytelling and fantastical culinary delights. Fans can also look forward to streaming the series globally on Max.
Hosted by James and Oliver Phelps, who portray the beloved Weasley twins, Fred and George, the series promises to be nothing short of magical, showcasing riveting challenges faced by talented pastry chefs and cake artists. The six-episode competition will feature esteemed judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef, along with surprise guest judges from the Harry Potter franchise, including Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley).
The competition will kick off spectacularly, featuring nine teams tasked with creating massive edible showpieces inspired by iconic moments and themes from the Harry Potter series. Carla Hall, noted for her culinary prowess, expressed her excitement for the series, stating, "With 'Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,' the confectionary magic coming this November is splendidly real and unlike anything seen before." This opening episode seeks to captivate viewers with elaborate pastry designs meant to tantalize the taste buds and dazzle the eyes.
Designed to attract both culinary aficionados and devoted Harry Potter fans, this competition was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, which has served as the backdrop for the Harry Potter film series. Contestants will present their impressive creations at iconic locations such as Platform 9¾, The Great Hall, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Diagon Alley, and even the Forbidden Forest.
"Fans of Harry Potter will recognize many iconically familiar places," said the showrunners, emphasizing the immersive experience crafted for viewers. The participating teams include:
- Kimberly Adams (Milwaukee, MI) and Ashley Cardona (Charleston, SC)
- Lisa Altfest (Orange County, CA) and Mitzi Reyes (Los Angeles, CA)
- Hemu Basumatary (Katy, TX) and Riccardo Menicucci (Los Angeles, CA)
- Zoe Burmester (Brooklyn, NY) and Jordan Pilarski (Ojai, CA)
- Jess Lewis (Washington, DC) and Jamie Louks (Seattle, WA)
- Kayla Giddings (Lafayette, LA) and Yohann Le Bescond (Ocala, FL)
- Juan Gutierrez (Chicago, IL) and Elizabeth Rowe (Dallas, TX)
- Michael Russ II (Modesto, CA) and Conner Strackman (Smithville, TX)
- Christopher Teixeira (Chicago, IL) and Miko Uy (Astoria, NY)
While the baking challenges promise to showcase participants' skills and creativity, the stakes will get higher as the competition progresses. At the conclusion, the winning team will receive the coveted “Wizards of Baking Cup” and the chance to contribute to a new Harry Potter cookbook, making this not just about winning, but leaving behind their mark on the magical community.
Digging deep, the show's producers reflect on the nostalgia and connection to the Harry Potter legacy. James Phelps shared his sentiments, recalling, “On our first day at Leavesden, it felt magical — much like how the bakers will feel when they step inside the Great Hall.” His twin brother Oliver echoed similar feelings, noting the overwhelming wave of nostalgia walking back through the film sets brought on, stating, "It was like jumping back in time; it’s amazing how immersive such environments can be."
This amalgamation of baking artistry and beloved franchise lore poses not just culinary excitement, but also appeals to the rich emotional ties fans have with the Harry Potter series. The series seeks to provide audiences with joy and wonder through the eyes of both viewers and participants.
Fans can expect the series to be filled with engaging moments and perhaps surprise appearances from more familiar faces from the Harry Potter universe. Production for Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking has been carefully crafted by Warner Horizon and theoldschool for Food Network, with key executive producers involved include Warner Horizon's Bridgette Theriault and Dan Sacks, alongside theoldschool's Robin Ashbrook and Yasmin Shackleton.
Viewers anticipating the deliciously enchanting magic of baking can watch the trailer for Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking to get their taste buds tingling before the premiere. This holiday season, culinary fans and Potterheads alike won’t want to miss this extraordinary and spellbinding competition.
