Livingston Chef, 12, To Compete For Food Network Glory

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston 12-year-old Soleil Thomas is primed to get the new year off to a sweet start.

Thomas will be one of a dozen young bakers showing off their major culinary talents on a new season of “Kids Baking Championship,” premiering on Monday, Jan. 1 at 9 p.m. Over the course of 10 episodes, the contestants (who range in age from 10 to 13) compete in decadent dessert challenges designed to find the most impressive and creative kid baker in the country. To make it to the top tier of the competition, their baking skills and originality must measure up, as they whip up sweet treats such as cookies, ice cream, and doughnuts.

The prize for the last chef standing? A feature in Food Network Magazine and $25,000. Learn more about the series here.

In addition to Thomas, the other contestants include:

• Gareth Bennett (Gaithersburg, MD; age 10)
• Julia Betz (Key Biscayne, FL; age 12)
• Alex Czajka (Edmonton, AB; age 12)
• Beverly Hepler (Foster City, CA; age 10)
• Grady Holloway (Chesterfield, MO; age 11)
• Luke Jonsson (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; age 13)
• Linsey Lam (Closter, NJ; age 13)
• Abby Martin (Franklin, WI; age 13)
• Bryn Montgomery (South Hill, VA; age 11)
• Aditya Pillutla (Cary, NC; age 12)
• Michael Platt (Bowie, MD; age 11)

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Photos: Food Network