I know! I know! I should spend more time reading my beloved Cozy Mysteries! However, every October (for the last several years) I have looked forward to spending time watching seasonal non-mystery shows on TV.
As I have mentioned before (a nice way to say “complained about” before…) we don’t have the four seasons here in San Antonio. I have missed fall and winter ever since we moved here. It’s either hot and muggy, or cool down here. (This is the main reason I am so devoted to cold-weather holiday Cozies.)
So, every year at this time, I anticipate watching some of my favorite Food Network shows. That’s right, I have made no pretense about enjoying cooking/baking but I get a vicarious enjoyment out of watching other people performing those tasks.
Here are some Food Network channel holiday show I think you may enjoy:
1) Halloween Baking Championship: I have particularly enjoyed the last two seasons of this show because the host (John Henson from “Talk Soup”) and the three judges (Carla Hall, Lorraine Pascale, and Zac Young) seem to get along so well, often playing off of each other. The show has two competitive baking rounds, with someone being eliminated after the second. These competitors can bake!
2) Halloween Wars: This show is quite different than the previous in that it features teams consisting of a sugar specialist, a cake decorator, and a pumpkin carver. Like the previous show, there are two rounds. The teams are “artificially” put together so they aren’t made up of friends. It can sometimes get pretty brutal between the competitors. Still, it is absolutely amazing to watch what they create.
Not to worry, once Halloween is over, I then start watching the holiday themed (ie Christmas etc.) competitions.
3) Holiday Baking Championship: This Christmas-themed baking competition is also played in two rounds. The judges are Duff Goldman (from “Ace of Cakes”), Lorraine Pascale (gorgeous model/cook), and Nancy Fuller (from “Farmhouse Rules”). These three judges are absolutely terrific together! If you haven’t already seen this show, you will be amazed at the winter holiday creations the bakers make!
4) Christmas Cookie Challenge: I’m not sure if this show will be on again this year, but I already have it on my Tivo favorites list – just in case. It features bakers who specialize in cookie-baking, so it isn’t as professional seeming as the previous baking competitions. A real bright spot it had going for it last year is that Ree Drummond (“Pioneer Woman”) was one of the judges.
5) Chopped-holiday editions: I’ve already discussed Chopped before, but my husband and I especially enjoy the shows that feature Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas themes.
That about wraps up my winter holiday cooking/baking shows. Oh, and let me mention one more holiday show: The Spring Baking Championship. Bring on the Easter bunnies!
How about you? Are there any holiday shows you look forward to watching (other than the Hallmark movies)? Please leave a comment below. Thank you!
PS: Both Halloween Baking Championship and Halloween Wars began recently. However you may be able to catch the earlier episodes – as the Food Network re-airs them several times.
Paula says
I’m also looking forward to the Thanksgiving challenge that the Food Network is showing on November 4th.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Paula, that one is one I am looking forward to also.
Aymee says
I hear you on the weather. I’m in Las Vegas and while we don’t have the humidity, it’s either hot or cool here, too.
My older girl LOVES the holiday shows on Food Network. Kid is nuts for them. (She’s 18 by the way) It does make for some nice family time though.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Aymee, I’ve heard often that it’s a “dry heat”, but I’m not so sure that would make it easier on me. Still too hot to spend too much time outside!
Aymee says
I totally agree that 115º is hot no matter what, but the heat here isn’t as oppressive as it is in like Houston. I’m always amazed that the guys I work with – who are construction workers – manage to work all summer in that heat.
Rita Ingersoll says
I just want to say thank you for your blog. I know I would have missed so many books over the last couple of years. Also I cannot wait for the original Christmas movies from the old black and white days. They remind me of our family time together when I was a child, also a Christmas Story. My dad would not leave until it was over no matter my mom wanting to get on the road.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rita, you’re very welcome! I’m glad that the blog has been helpful. And old Christmas movies are another favorite of mine, to be sure!
Karen N. says
I don’t care much for the cooking shows but I really miss the decorating shows that were once on HGTV. They always had great holiday shows that utilized inexpensive household items to completely transform one room or an entire house. Two I remember are Design on a Dime and Room By Room.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Karen, I’m sorry to hear that the current crop of “holiday themed” shows aren’t as much to your taste!
Bek says
Oh, GOSH, yes, Karen N.! I miss those, too, and going way, WAY back, the show that featured Christopher Lowell, who introduced me to the concept that good design didn’t have to cost a fortune!
We need more of those shows!
katie says
I’m in Dallas, I agree with you about the lack of seasons!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Katie, good to hear from a fellow Texan!
Bek says
My very favorite holiday show/movie is almost never aired anymore, so I searched and searched and FINALLY got it on DVD. I’m just addicted to Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. My dad adored anything Mr. Magoo, and that movie takes me back to my childhood, sitting in Dad’s lap, and both of us laughing like hyenas.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, it’s amazing how revisiting that sort of show can really bring you back to a time and place in your life.
Tomi N says
Hi Danna. Intrigued with your recommendation for Christmas Cookie Challenge, did some digging on Google. Looks like they had open casting call in April. Sounds promising. (going to hope my pathetic technical abilities have posted a clickable link)
https://cookieconnection.juliausher.com/topic/casting-call-for-2018-food-network-christmas-cookie-challenge?reply=lastReply
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tomi, I’m definitely looking forward to that one already!
Ande H. says
Honestly I live for all the excitement and tension on these holiday baking shows. The conflicting personalities of the contestants practically write a cozy mystery without even trying. Also add Halloween gingerbread wars to your list.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ande, I’ll have to catch up on that one!
Paul D says
I know how you feel Danna, here in Manchester UK, it feels like we have just the one season, a rainy one!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Paul, sounds like the opposite of what we have! But I can see it getting monotonous too!
Carrie M says
I stumbled across your website and so happy I found it, your site is helpful, informative and a blessing for an avid mystery reader like myself. I found authors and books I never heard of and like you I keep lists of books I’ve read, need to read, authors to try, etc. This site was an early Christmas present to myself, the books I will get to open and explore for years to come has made my heart sing with joy. THANK YOU!!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carrie, you’re very welcome! I’m always glad to hear from site visitors who are finding the lists useful.
Petie Ogg says
Danna, it just doesn’t seem like Christmas at our house without A CHRISTMAS STORY with Ralphie !! I love that movie and even bought Katie, my twin, one of the ‘leg lamps’ as a gift one year. And always A CHRISTMAS CAROL – any of them even Disney. So glad we’re finally getting some seasonal weather here in Houston.
Have a blessed holiday if we don’t ‘talk’ before Christmas. And thank you again for all your hard work that so many of us enjoy!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Petie, the right movies definitely help make the season for us as well. And have a merry holiday yourself if we don’t talk again soon!