Cake master returns for another helping of TLC’s Cake Boss

MANILA, Philippines – Buddy’s ready to take another talented confectioner under his wing but not without putting them through some sweet, sweet competition. The frosting will fly this April as 13 lucky bakers get a shot to show Buddy what they are made of. Each week, Buddy will push the contestants’ baking and decorating skills to the limit with tough-as-nails challenges. Someone will go home every week until the NEXT GREAT BAKER is left standing, taking home the top prize and a chance to work with the Boss. CAKE BOSS: NEXT GREAT BAKER premieres every Thursday at 7:00 p.m., starting April 26 on TLC. Encores Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.

On each episode, Buddy pushes the contestants’ baking and decorating skills to the limit through a series of increasingly difficult challenges. Contestants are put through a baker’s challenge where each has to do something for Buddy and the winner receives a special bonus. The elimination challenge that follows sees each contestant making a cake of the subject and specifications of Buddy’s choice over a period of two days. The creations will be scrutinized by Buddy and a panel of judges, and the contestant with worst cake that week must leave the competition.

From wedding cakes to fabulous fondant creations, look out for creative confections made at a flour-flying, furiously fast pace as the thrills and ingredients spill in every episode. With two challenges each week, the 10 hopefuls will be judged closely by Buddy and his family for their baking expertise and ability to work under pressure. Who will survive and who will leave with cake on their face? With crazier twists, tougher challenges and bigger prizes at stake, this season promises to be an all-out war. It’s GO TIME!

Here’s what is on each week on CAKE BOSS: NEXT GREAT BAKER 2:

It’s Go Time!

In the series premiere, the competitors put their baking skills to the test when they are paired up into teams to create a 4-foot tall theme cake.  But when Buddy presents an interesting challenge to win immunity, will it be every baker for themselves?

Life-sized Cakes

Sculpted cakes are one of the most popular requests made by clients today and nobody does them better than Buddy.  The competitors are asked to create life-sized sculpted cakes in 10 hours with special mystery clients serving as the models.

Wedding Wonderland

Being the NEXT GREAT BAKER means creating cakes that are magazine worthy.  The stakes are raised when the competitors are asked to create elaborate wedding cakes inspired by the latest wedding trends for Brides Magazine.

Bakers On Ice

Competition heats up for the holidays when the bakers break into teams to create their best holiday themed cake for the Valastro Christmas party. But not everyone is merry as tempers flare amongst the teams with one baker making a trip to the hospital.

Let the Sparks Fly

Sparks fly when Buddy asks the competitors to work together to create one-of-a-kind engineered cakes. These cakes will need to spin, smoke, move and spark if the contestants want to wow Buddy and the judges. But it’s not Valastro-style without a twist!

Gators, Chimps and Bears… Oh My!

Speed and agility are put to the test when the bakers are asked to unload Lackawanna’s industrial 400 degree oven for the Baker’s Challenge. Later, it’s time to go wild as the bakers must construct animal cakes for the Turtleback Zoo.

Here Comes the Bride-zilla!

It’s wedding day at the bakery! The bakers must team up to create an off-beat wedding cake for a true bridezilla! It’s the ultimate test to see how these bakers will handle a difficult client, but will the bride’s requests be too demanding?

Headbanging Bakers

The bakers must get in a heavy state of mind when they are asked to create heavy metal cakes complete with pyrotechnics for a very special birthday. These cakes need to rock or somebody is going out with a bang…and did we mention it’s boys vs. girls?

Crown-winning Cakes

It’s down to the final four and it’s every baker for themselves.  Buddy brings in 2011 Miss USA Alyssa Campanella to help judge who will make it to the finale as the bakers must create their best cake celebrating Alyssa’s life.

…And the Winner is?

The final three face their toughest Baker’s Challenge yet when they must bake their 3 best pastries to sell at Carlo’s Bakery with the baker who sells the least going home early. The final two will then battle it out for the title the Next Great Baker!