Entertainment
Food Network Sweetens Up The Holidays With Holiday Baking Championship And Christmas Cookie Challenge
NEW YORK, (FNN NEWS) / By Food Network / — It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Food Network is spreading sweet holiday cheer with Holiday Baking Championship on Monday, November 6th at 9pm ET/PT and Christmas Cookie Challenge at 10pm ET/PT. There is no better way to ring in the holiday season, than with decadent baked goods galore and the most irresistible holiday treats!
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/79699518-food-network-holiday-baking-championship-christmas-cookie-challenge/
“Food Network’s holiday programming captures the sugar and spice and everything nice about the season, with fun and exciting challenges that bring to life the spirit of holiday classic treats and traditions,” said Courtney White, Senior Vice President Programming, Scripps Networks Interactive.
The festivities begin as nine new bakers enter the Holiday Baking Championship kitchen to show off their talents in this seven-week competition stuffed with difficult challenges and delicious desserts to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah. Host Jesse Palmer will put the contestants to the test as they whisk, fold and frost their way through challenges and surprising curveballs. From crazy candy cane desserts to holiday hand pies, the contestants’ baking abilities must rise to the top. Only one will “sleigh” the competition to be crowned the winner by judges Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller and Lorraine Pascale to take home the biggest gift of the season – a $50,000 grand prize and the title of Holiday Baking Champion!
For even more heavenly holiday treats on Monday, December 25th at 9pm ET/PT, Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller and Lorraine Pascale welcome back past runners-up for a one-shot holiday showdown, and a second chance at victory on a special episode of Holiday Baking Championship: Runners-Up Redemption. The familiar faces must tackle two rounds of tough new challenges including desserts inspired by real letters to Santa Claus, and then they must assemble cupcakes into one big edible Christmas tree. On the line is their reputation and a grand prize of $10,000.
Holiday cookies are a seasonal staple and they are more than mere sweets — they are gifts, mementos of childhood, and most certainly made with pride. In Christmas Cookie Challenge, premiering Monday, November 6th at 10pm ET/PT, host Eddie Jackson challenges festive and talented cookie makers in this seasonal seven-episode competition. In each episode, five daring cookie makers must prove their holiday skills through two rounds, as lead judge Ree Drummond, joined by a rotating panel of guest judges, including Kimberly Bailey, James Briscione, Damiano Carrara, Dan Langan, Jamika Pessoa, Jordan Pilarski, Aarti Sequeira and Joy Wilson, determine which baker will have the best Christmas ever, walking away with a $10,000 prize.
Fans can get new ideas for mouthwatering holiday desserts, meet the Holiday Baking Championship contestants and learn more about the judges at FoodNetwork.com/HolidayBakingChampionship. Plus, they can see the most creative Christmas cookies ever, meet the judges of the challenge and watch video extras at FoodNetwork.com/ChristmasCookieChallenge. Tell us about your favorite holiday traditions using #HolidayBakingChampionship and which cookies are your favorite using #ChristmasCookieChallenge.
Central Florida News
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Presents ‘HYPE HAIR’ Exhibit by Peppermint Sandy in Downtown Orlando
Entertainment
USF Credit Union Named Presenting Sponsor of ‘Rainbow To Your Door’ With $5,000 Challenge Match Grant
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The production team behind Rainbow To Your Door announced that USF Credit Union has joined the upcoming theatrical production as its Presenting Sponsor, accompanied by a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant aimed at encouraging community support and helping fully fund the project.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to arts, education, and community engagement across Central Florida. Organizers say the challenge grant will match community contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000, helping expand public access and educational opportunities connected to the production.
Original Play Celebrates Florida’s Artistic Legacy
Rainbow To Your Door is an original stage production written by Los Angeles-based playwright Kenneth Brown. The play is inspired by the historic friendship and artistic exchange between acclaimed author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston and artist Jules André Smith.
Set in 1938 at the historic Maitland Art Center, the production explores the challenges, triumphs, and purpose of artists navigating a rapidly changing world while preserving their creative voices.
“This partnership represents more than sponsorship. It is an investment in storytelling, culture, and preserving the legacy of artistic voices that helped shape Florida’s creative identity,” Brown said. “We are incredibly grateful to USF Credit Union for believing in this vision and helping us create meaningful community impact through the arts.”
Challenge Match Campaign Aims to Fully Fund Production
As part of the sponsorship, USF Credit Union will provide a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant to encourage community participation and charitable giving. Production organizers say that once the matching goal is reached, Rainbow To Your Door will be fully funded.
Donations generated through the campaign will support expanded accessibility initiatives, educational programming, community outreach, and audience engagement efforts associated with the production.
“USF Credit Union is proud to support initiatives that enrich the communities we serve,” said Rick Skaggs, CEO of USF Credit Union. “Rainbow To Your Door reflects the power of culture, education, and the arts to inspire meaningful conversations and strengthen community connections.”
Production Scheduled for October 2026
Media relations and promotional efforts for the production are being coordinated by Fierce Entertainment.
Rainbow To Your Door is scheduled for Oct. 10–11, 2026, at the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando.
Additional information regarding ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and the community challenge campaign will be announced in the coming weeks.
Media Contact:
Rob Henlon
Fierce Entertainment
rob@alwaysfierce.com
For sponsorship information and production updates, visit Rainbow To Your Door.
Central Florida News
FNN Honors Teen Reporter Isabella Schmitt as She Graduates and Pursues Communications Degree
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News proudly celebrates Isabella Schmitt as she marks an important milestone with her high school graduation and prepares to begin an exciting new chapter pursuing Communications in college.
Over the years, Isabella has represented the next generation of young voices with professionalism, creativity, determination, and passion.
Through reporting opportunities, community involvement, and media experiences, she has continued to shine both on and off camera while inspiring others through her dedication and work ethic.
Jenny Rosario, Vice President of Florida National News, praised Isabella’s accomplishments and bright future ahead.
“Watching Isabella grow both personally and professionally has been truly inspiring,” Rosario said. “She represents the future of journalism, communications, and storytelling. Her passion, confidence, and commitment to making a positive impact through media are remarkable, and we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished.”
Rosario added that Isabella’s decision to pursue Communications in college is a natural next step for someone with such strong talent and determination.
“The world of media and communications needs more young voices like Isabella’s,” Rosario said. “We know this is only the beginning of many great accomplishments to come.”
Florida National News congratulates Isabella Schmitt and the entire Class of 2026 on this exciting achievement.
“Keep dreaming big and telling stories that matter,” Rosario added.
