INDIANAPOLIS — It's state fair season across the country, and now, Blue Ribbon-winning bakers are getting the chance to compete against each other in the inaugural "Blue Ribbon Baking Championship."
Jason Biggs starred in four films in the raunchy "American Pie" series, so that makes him an expert on all-things baking, right?
"There's an obvious connection to the world. I consider myself a bit of a comedic expert on baked goods," Biggs said on hosting the Netflix baking competition series. "I love food. I love cooking competitions, baking competitions. I love hosting. This, for me, was a no-brainer of a gig."
Ten award-winning pastry masters from across the U.S. are vying for the $100,000 grand prize, but in order to win, they'll have to impress the judges:
- Sandra Lee, Emmy-winning TV chef and cookbook author
- Bill Yosses, former White House pastry chef under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama
- Bryan Ford, award-winning artisan baker
When you have 10 award-winning bakers in the same room, the food is obviously going to be tasty. So what are the judges specifically looking for to separate the good from the great?
"If you watch 'Blue Ribbon Baking Championship,' you will literally learn how to taste food and how to judge food for yourself so you can tell what's in it," Lee said. "When you learn how to taste food and decipher the ingredients that are in food by using your palette, you will visit the state fair differently. You will eat those foods differently."
As Biggs' co-host and a judge, Lee brings 15 seasons of experience hosting "Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee" on the Food Network.
"She's a life force. A great person, patient, kind, generous. She was an inspiring person to work with and happy to be part of this incredible mix," Yosses said of Lee.
As part of the competition show, audiences will get to know and love these 10 contestants — and obviously get some great tips for baking.
"We see contestants evolve. For me, it's important to see someone's evolution in the kitchen," Ford said on what he's looking for as a judge. "I love to see new takeaways and new ideas form."
All eight episodes of "Blue Ribbon Baking Championship" are now streaming on Netflix.