Thank you!! It was really an awesome experience, and I would definitely do it again given the opportunity. No spoilers though! I don't get to see the episode before it airs, so I'll be seeing it for the first time like everyone else!
I really enjoyed it too! I’m also enjoying the gingerbread theme on Holiday Baking Championship too!
(And I loved that someone slid in a Bachelor reference at Jesse Palmer)
Holy crap!! I'm so excited for you!
I almost don't know a celebrity!!
Have a fantastic time!
(Can you please wander the halls until you find Eddie and ..... um, whew! Hot flash. Do whatever you can!)
To be fair, there were a lot of smells in that kitchen. And not a one of them were unpleasant. But I didn't want to be busted on camera leaning over for a sniff, and then explaining that to my husband upon viewing, hahaha
🤣
I would have suddenly have *the vapors* and *happen* to faint (southern drawl) *from all the heat in that kitchen, due to being a delicate lady n shit*.....right into Eddie's arms.
And when he was giving me mouth to mouth.....
Oops. Sorry again. I gotta go write Food Network erotica.
I'm coming for ya Eddie!
(Thank you so much for humoring me!)
Oh, any time!! He definitely caused a stir around people there. I love it! Also, I'm gonna send you a picture in DMs - totally Eddie related, I promise, haha
Was there any equipment you wished you'd had access to that you didn't? How does the timeline as presented on tv compare to the recording process? (Such as, they always make it seem like they call time and then immediately start judging. Is there a time gap there? How long does it take to get through all the presentations? How long do the judges deliberate before announce the winner? How long is the time gap between each segment?) Do you feel like you were able to adequately represent your skills? What, if anything, would you change about it?
Sorry, don't feel like you have to answer everything. I just always wonder how the reality plays out. And I never feel like the cookies I see on those kinds of shows match the skill level I see online, even from the same artists. I'm curious what makes it feel that way.
Equipment wise, the kitchen is fabulously stocked, and I can't think of anything one would need that isn't there. Of course everything is slightly different than your kitchen at home - a different mixer model, different decorating bags, whatever, but everything was great and nothing that would adversely affect someone.
Timeline is pretty true. There is a brief period in between finishing the time and judging, but only for them to reset the studio for the right shots and get product shots. It's really not long at all. That would be boring to watch anyway, haha.
There aren't big clocks in there, and you can't wear watches, but I'd say it takes about 10-15 per person for judging. They have to reset from station to station with the cameras, and of course there's a lot more said than what is shown on tv. They say multiple things and then it gets edited to the best stuff.
For judging, it felt like they deliberated forever, but time is totally lost in that studio, haha. I have no idea. Same with the time between segments. You get food breaks, bathroom breaks and what not, but it really flows well. They've got it down to an efficient science.
Obviously with a time challenge, you're limited with what you can accomplish. I'm proud of what I did with the time allotted, but of course I have a lot of skills that I couldn't fit in their time slots. That's okay, I think most people get that about the show. You can look through any of my work and see my skill level. I'm not too bothered by any of that. As far as would I change anything? No - it was a great experience. You've got to be pretty thick skinned and pretty sure of yourself for the environment, but I'm the type of person that just rolls with life as it is. If anything goes sideways, I just roll with the punches. Of course nothing is going to be like it is in your kitchen at home where you are familiar with every nook and cranny and can reach max efficiency, but there's nothing I did that I would change. Now, I might have chosen a few words more carefully, but we'll see how it goes when I finally get to watch the edited episode, haha!
Oh, and I want to add, that I am a HIGHLY efficient decorator. I don't say that to be arrogant - by all means I definitely do not make my cookies clean and perfect like many other people out there. My style is different in a lot of ways. I prefer highly textured cookies over clean floods, which lends itself to being rough around the edges at times. But I get creatively stifled when I focus on repetitive minutia or making everything perfect. I prefer to work fast, and accept that my work will always have flaws.
I value efficiency greatly, because it keeps me from getting burned out. So while the time limits imposed do limit what I am able to do, I chose to sacrifice some cleanliness to get all the details I wanted on my cookies. It's all a part of the competition. You have to choose what you want to focus on and accomplish that, even if it means concessions in other places.
Thanks so much for your response! I think the whole filming process is quite interesting. I'll definitely keep an eye out for your episode. Also, the cookie you posted is amazing; I hope you didn't read any kind of insult into my comments, it definitely wasn't intended.
Hi! That cookies is absolutely stunning! I have two questions about the behind the scenes aspect of the show. 1. Do they let you bring your own recipes? 2. Do they let you know what the challenge is going to be ahead of time?
I'm thinking about applying for next year but I don't know if I have the skills to memorize recipes or bust out a design idea on the spot!
Thank you so much! Contractually that's information I can't share. But what I can say is I prepared for the show by trying variations on my base recipe and doing challenges that I saw on previous episodes. So I would randomly pick an old episode, and then I would watch to see why the challenge was, pause it, and give myself the same stipulations that they had. It was super helpful to get my mind in gear for thinking of efficient ways to do things, and feeling super confident that I could switch up my base recipes on the fly with different spices or ingredients.
I would highly recommend filling out the application!! Just go for it. They want you to be successful on the show, and are super supportive through the whole process. :)
Can you tell me how to apply and when? I have been trying for years to find this information. Googling does not really help. Would greatly appreciate it. 🥲 this cookie is beautiful!
The best thing to do is fill out the application! They should be picking this year's contestants right now. Check this link: https://christmascookiechallenge.castingcrane.com/
Congrats!!!! My friends sister (who I know as a casual friend) was on Halloween Baking Championship season 6. It’s intense but she had a great time and met awesome people. Good luck!
Not at all! It was Michelle. She made it to the end but didn’t win:( I have to say- her and her sister are not only absolutely HILARIOUS, but crazy intelligent, too. They’re both great people. I love them both.
When Michelle made the doll cake that was supposed to be her sister, Melissa (her sister) dressed up to look like the doll and posted a video. That how funny they are!
omg!! I really enjoyed watching her on the show, she has a great personality and sense of humor. Glad to hear she’s just as funny outside of the show :)
Oh yeah! She’s so quick witted and even better in real life. They both are like that. Super smart, super funny, great personalities. Just all around great people.
Congratulations, Sammie! I love watching CCC and it will be cool to see you in the season finale. Two quick questions (you don't have to answer if you're not allowed):
1) Do you get a chance to try the other bakers' cookies? Seems like a huge waste to make all of those beautiful cookies only to toss'em after two judges take small bites.
2) Do the judges actually eat the cookies for real, or do they do the "acting diet" thing of spitting out the cookies after tasting them? It seems impossible to keep one's weight down after so much cookie eating! (Sorry if this question is kind of strange, but I've always been curious how those two stay so slim after munching on delicious cookies 🍪 😋)
Thank you so much!!
Unfortunately we don't get to try each other's cookies while we are there. In fact, we don't even really get the chance to look at each other's unless you just happen to walk by or see it in the monitor! However, my castmates (if that's the right word, ha) and I shared our recipes with each other so I will get the chance to make them all soon and try them as I watch the episode! And yes, the judges genuinely take a small bite of each cookie! And of course they always offer compliments and criticisms, so it's really interesting to get the feedback on what they think when they get to try so many cookies!
I’ve been binge watching past episodes. Congratulations for making it to the competition. I hope you are having a watch party with your friends and family! 🥰 So exciting!!
Yayyy!!! I'll be watching!!! Good luck!!!
Thank you!! I'm so excited!
Even though I don't know you, I'm incredibly excited for you too! That's such a great opportunity, I really hope you win!
Thank you!! It was really an awesome experience, and I would definitely do it again given the opportunity. No spoilers though! I don't get to see the episode before it airs, so I'll be seeing it for the first time like everyone else!
It seems to me.
When does it air your episode? I hope you won!!
I'm on the last episode, December 18th at 8:00 p.m. CST! Thank you so much!
I’m watching this week’s episode right now and had to come back to the thread for this info :)
I loved this week's episode!! Gingerbread is just so much fun.
I really enjoyed it too! I’m also enjoying the gingerbread theme on Holiday Baking Championship too! (And I loved that someone slid in a Bachelor reference at Jesse Palmer)
Congratulations! This cookie is beautiful!
Thank you so much!!
That is fantastic!!! Can’t wait to watch!!!
Thank you!!
Yay! I love the Christmas Cookie Challenge! I hope meeting Ree and Eddie was awesome! And congratulations!
It was really fun and a little surreal! They were both great though! Thank you!!
That’s awesome :)
AYO ILL BE ROOTING FOR YOU THROUGH MY TV SCREEN
Haha, thank you!!
Holy crap!! I'm so excited for you! I almost don't know a celebrity!! Have a fantastic time! (Can you please wander the halls until you find Eddie and ..... um, whew! Hot flash. Do whatever you can!)
This made me laugh. Definitely not a celebrity, but it sure was fun! And thank you!! Oh, and Eddie was dressed niiiice. 😂
You're my personal celeb and hero. Eddie looks like he smells edib......really good. Does he?
To be fair, there were a lot of smells in that kitchen. And not a one of them were unpleasant. But I didn't want to be busted on camera leaning over for a sniff, and then explaining that to my husband upon viewing, hahaha
🤣 I would have suddenly have *the vapors* and *happen* to faint (southern drawl) *from all the heat in that kitchen, due to being a delicate lady n shit*.....right into Eddie's arms. And when he was giving me mouth to mouth..... Oops. Sorry again. I gotta go write Food Network erotica. I'm coming for ya Eddie! (Thank you so much for humoring me!)
Oh, any time!! He definitely caused a stir around people there. I love it! Also, I'm gonna send you a picture in DMs - totally Eddie related, I promise, haha
I keep hoping to run into him somewhere here in Houston…it shouldn’t be a problem…there are only a few million people here.
Eddie's the one with the heavenly glow all around him. It really shouldn't be a problem. Get on it! ⌚️😁
So cool! Good luck 🥳
Thank you so much!!
Beautiful cookie. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
This is awesome! I’ll be tuning in!
Thank you!!
Good luck!!
Thank you so much!
Good luck! I’m so pleased for you! Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
I'll be watching! Give a shout-out to Reddit! Best of luck!
Thank you so much!
OMG THATS AMAZING!! also that design is absolutely incredible! I’ll rooting for you!
Thank you so much!!
OMG how exciting! Congratulations and good luck!
Thank you so much!!
Congrats! Your designs are amazing!
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
I would LOVE your behind the scenes take! I always feel bad for the bakers on that show; it never seems to show them at their best.
Ask away! Contractually there are some things I can't answer of course, but I can share what I can!
Was there any equipment you wished you'd had access to that you didn't? How does the timeline as presented on tv compare to the recording process? (Such as, they always make it seem like they call time and then immediately start judging. Is there a time gap there? How long does it take to get through all the presentations? How long do the judges deliberate before announce the winner? How long is the time gap between each segment?) Do you feel like you were able to adequately represent your skills? What, if anything, would you change about it? Sorry, don't feel like you have to answer everything. I just always wonder how the reality plays out. And I never feel like the cookies I see on those kinds of shows match the skill level I see online, even from the same artists. I'm curious what makes it feel that way.
Equipment wise, the kitchen is fabulously stocked, and I can't think of anything one would need that isn't there. Of course everything is slightly different than your kitchen at home - a different mixer model, different decorating bags, whatever, but everything was great and nothing that would adversely affect someone. Timeline is pretty true. There is a brief period in between finishing the time and judging, but only for them to reset the studio for the right shots and get product shots. It's really not long at all. That would be boring to watch anyway, haha. There aren't big clocks in there, and you can't wear watches, but I'd say it takes about 10-15 per person for judging. They have to reset from station to station with the cameras, and of course there's a lot more said than what is shown on tv. They say multiple things and then it gets edited to the best stuff. For judging, it felt like they deliberated forever, but time is totally lost in that studio, haha. I have no idea. Same with the time between segments. You get food breaks, bathroom breaks and what not, but it really flows well. They've got it down to an efficient science. Obviously with a time challenge, you're limited with what you can accomplish. I'm proud of what I did with the time allotted, but of course I have a lot of skills that I couldn't fit in their time slots. That's okay, I think most people get that about the show. You can look through any of my work and see my skill level. I'm not too bothered by any of that. As far as would I change anything? No - it was a great experience. You've got to be pretty thick skinned and pretty sure of yourself for the environment, but I'm the type of person that just rolls with life as it is. If anything goes sideways, I just roll with the punches. Of course nothing is going to be like it is in your kitchen at home where you are familiar with every nook and cranny and can reach max efficiency, but there's nothing I did that I would change. Now, I might have chosen a few words more carefully, but we'll see how it goes when I finally get to watch the edited episode, haha!
Oh, and I want to add, that I am a HIGHLY efficient decorator. I don't say that to be arrogant - by all means I definitely do not make my cookies clean and perfect like many other people out there. My style is different in a lot of ways. I prefer highly textured cookies over clean floods, which lends itself to being rough around the edges at times. But I get creatively stifled when I focus on repetitive minutia or making everything perfect. I prefer to work fast, and accept that my work will always have flaws. I value efficiency greatly, because it keeps me from getting burned out. So while the time limits imposed do limit what I am able to do, I chose to sacrifice some cleanliness to get all the details I wanted on my cookies. It's all a part of the competition. You have to choose what you want to focus on and accomplish that, even if it means concessions in other places.
Thanks so much for your response! I think the whole filming process is quite interesting. I'll definitely keep an eye out for your episode. Also, the cookie you posted is amazing; I hope you didn't read any kind of insult into my comments, it definitely wasn't intended.
Oh, no offense taken at all!! I just was clarifying. :) I enjoy talking with people about it!!
Wow that’s gorgeous wowww!!!! I hope you won!
Oh, this cookie isn't the one in the show. It's just a holiday design for this year! Thank you for the kind words!!
Wow! I will be watching! Congrats!!
Thank you so much!
woah we are so proud! I’ll be sure to watch
Thank you so much!
Congratulations! What a dream! Can’t wait to watch this season. ♥️
Thank you so much!
Hi! That cookies is absolutely stunning! I have two questions about the behind the scenes aspect of the show. 1. Do they let you bring your own recipes? 2. Do they let you know what the challenge is going to be ahead of time? I'm thinking about applying for next year but I don't know if I have the skills to memorize recipes or bust out a design idea on the spot!
Thank you so much! Contractually that's information I can't share. But what I can say is I prepared for the show by trying variations on my base recipe and doing challenges that I saw on previous episodes. So I would randomly pick an old episode, and then I would watch to see why the challenge was, pause it, and give myself the same stipulations that they had. It was super helpful to get my mind in gear for thinking of efficient ways to do things, and feeling super confident that I could switch up my base recipes on the fly with different spices or ingredients. I would highly recommend filling out the application!! Just go for it. They want you to be successful on the show, and are super supportive through the whole process. :)
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions!
Absolutely!! I wish I could answer in more detail, but it is what it is! :)
Can you tell me how to apply and when? I have been trying for years to find this information. Googling does not really help. Would greatly appreciate it. 🥲 this cookie is beautiful!
The best thing to do is fill out the application! They should be picking this year's contestants right now. Check this link: https://christmascookiechallenge.castingcrane.com/
So excited to see who wins tonight! Regardless, you're a winner in my heart! ❤️
Thank you so much!! It was a wonderful, crazy experience!!
Congrats! Your work is amazing and I will watch!
Thank you so much!!
Congratulations!! That's amazing! Will definitely be watching and cheering for you 🎉
Thank you!!
That's so awesome! I watch it every year so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for you and cheering! I love your design 😍
Thank you so much!! It was a lot of fun!
Congrats!!!! My friends sister (who I know as a casual friend) was on Halloween Baking Championship season 6. It’s intense but she had a great time and met awesome people. Good luck!
i’m obsessed with that show!! is it weird to ask her name?? lol
Not at all! It was Michelle. She made it to the end but didn’t win:( I have to say- her and her sister are not only absolutely HILARIOUS, but crazy intelligent, too. They’re both great people. I love them both. When Michelle made the doll cake that was supposed to be her sister, Melissa (her sister) dressed up to look like the doll and posted a video. That how funny they are!
omg!! I really enjoyed watching her on the show, she has a great personality and sense of humor. Glad to hear she’s just as funny outside of the show :)
Oh yeah! She’s so quick witted and even better in real life. They both are like that. Super smart, super funny, great personalities. Just all around great people.
That is so cool! I feel like I’m talking to a celebrity haha. I love that show and I’ll definitely be watching! You’re so talented!!
Definitely not a celebrity, haha! But it was super fun. I'm mostly excited for my kids to watch!! Thank you!!
Wow that's crazy good. Looks so real, like a ceramic thing to display.
Thank you so much! I love making 3D cookies or stand-up cookies that look like decor!
Congratulations, Sammie! I love watching CCC and it will be cool to see you in the season finale. Two quick questions (you don't have to answer if you're not allowed): 1) Do you get a chance to try the other bakers' cookies? Seems like a huge waste to make all of those beautiful cookies only to toss'em after two judges take small bites. 2) Do the judges actually eat the cookies for real, or do they do the "acting diet" thing of spitting out the cookies after tasting them? It seems impossible to keep one's weight down after so much cookie eating! (Sorry if this question is kind of strange, but I've always been curious how those two stay so slim after munching on delicious cookies 🍪 😋)
Thank you so much!! Unfortunately we don't get to try each other's cookies while we are there. In fact, we don't even really get the chance to look at each other's unless you just happen to walk by or see it in the monitor! However, my castmates (if that's the right word, ha) and I shared our recipes with each other so I will get the chance to make them all soon and try them as I watch the episode! And yes, the judges genuinely take a small bite of each cookie! And of course they always offer compliments and criticisms, so it's really interesting to get the feedback on what they think when they get to try so many cookies!
Thanks for answering my questions! 🙂 So glad you had such an amazing experience! ❤️
I’ve been binge watching past episodes. Congratulations for making it to the competition. I hope you are having a watch party with your friends and family! 🥰 So exciting!!