San Antonio Baker Takes on “Halloween Baking Championship”
San Antonio is buzzing with excitement this fall as one of its own, Manny Martinez, the creative force behind The Grim Bakers, takes center stage on Season 10 of the popular “Halloween Baking Championship” on Food Network. The show, which premiered on September 16, has become a beloved tradition for many, especially locals who know Martinez well.
A Sweet Dream Come True
The anticipation was palpable when The Grim Bakers announced through their social media channels that Manny would be competing on a show they’ve watched religiously over the years. “It’s been a tradition for us to watch this show every single year and for him to join the cast is beyond a dream come true,” the bakery commented. There’s no denying, the pride and joy from the community are felt across the city!
A Spooky Start
As one of ten bakers competing in the first episode, Manny faced the challenge of bringing his spooky culinary flair to life. Contestants were tasked with creating desserts that featured broken “glass” made from sugar candy—a fun yet tricky assignment for anyone. Manny didn’t shy away from the challenge and whipped up a Shortbread Sandwich Cookie topped with a broken beaker, which wowed the judges. The judges praised his creation, particularly loving the “septic” green color of his lime curd filling.
Kings & Tarts
After impressing the judges in the first round, his talents again shined through during the second challenge of the episode. Martinez was named the “king of shortbread” by judge Carla Hall after presenting a delicious chocolate and raspberry tart that secured him a spot in the next round. “This is a little ‘Martha Stewart goes insane,'” exclaimed judge Stephanie Boswell, indicating that Manny’s creativity and flair really set him apart from the competition.
A Year-Round Love for Halloween
Manny’s baking skills, especially with shortbread, can be credited to his love for all things spooky. From creations based on classic horror films like “Chucky” and “Scream”, he truly brings Halloween to life at his bakery, The Grim Bakers. “We do Halloween year-round,” he shared during the show, adding with a grin, “We do spooky Christmas.” Talk about a unique niche in the baking world!
Watch the Magic Unfold
The Halloween Baking Championship airs every Monday at 8 p.m. on Food Network, and for those unable to catch it live, episodes are also streaming on platforms like Max and Discovery+. With Manny representing San Antonio, there’s plenty of local pride riding on this season!
Join the Fun
As the competition heats up and the Halloween spirit fills the air, it’s hard not to cheer for our local bakery owner. With his passion, creativity, and a knack for combining spooky themes with baking, Manny Martinez is sure to keep audiences entertained and inspired. Fingers crossed for his success on the show, and let’s hope he continues to conjure up those “scary-good” delights in the kitchen!
So grab your friends and family, gather around the screen, and watch how San Antonio’s own baking hero brings a little bit of magic (and a lot of frosting) to the competition!
