Food Network is bringing back two Halloween faves for all new seasons this Spooky Season, and we are here for it! I personally love the Halloween shows on Food Network, and they are a very important part of my Halloween traditions.
Halloween Baking Championship returns first, with the first episode airing Monday, September 15 on Food Network. The season premiere is “super-sized” at two hours, and host John Henson is returning once again. Also returning are judges Stephanie Boswell, Zac Young and Carla Hall.
This year’s seven-episode series is set in a haunted mansion featuring secret passageways and lots of jump scares. The chosen bakers will be faced with a series of challenges involving the haunted manor itself, as well as their own personal fears.
In a first, the bottom three bakers in most challenges will be tasked with baking for their lives, and the judges are tasked with deciding which is deemed worthy of $25,000 and the title of Halloween Baking Champion.
Halloween Baking Championship began life in 2015 as a spin-off of Holiday Baking Championship, and quickly won over those of us who adore the Halloween season. The first season was hosted by Richard Blais, the second by comedian Jeff Dunham, and John Henson then took over. Carla Hall hosted one season during the COVID crisis, and Henson jumped back in the following year.
Next Up: Halloween Wars!
Thankfully, Jonathan Bennett is returning again as Halloween Wars’ host. Bennett returned in 2023 after a two-season stint by Zak Bagans, and it’s a decision fans of the series are very happy with. Bagans just wasn’t a good fit.
Seven teams have been assembled, each featuring cake, sugar and pumpkin artists that work together to create and build spine-tingling Halloween-themed displays. Judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira will ultimately decide which team will be awarded $25,000 and the Halloween Wars Championship.
The new season of Halloween Wars will premiere on Sunday, September 21 at 9:00 p.m. But be sure to tune in to Food Network on Sunday, September 15 at 11:00 p.m. for the Road to Halloween Wars special. That’s your chance to meet the aspiring competitors from across the country.
Halloween Wars is entering its 15th season in 2025, and made its first appearance in 2011. Though Jonathan Bennett has been the most popular host, he wasn’t the first. That honor goes to Justin Willman, who hosted the first four seasons before Rossi Morreale took over for season five. Bennett then took over for seasons 6 – 10, and Bagans hosted the lackluster seasons of 11 and 12. But all is good now, as of Bennett’s welcome return in season 14.