The Ultimate List: Every Halloween Baking Championship Winner From Season 1 To The Latest 2025 Champion

The Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship has become the undisputed seasonal staple for horror aficionados and dessert lovers alike, culminating in a chilling finale each year where one talented baker is crowned the champion. With the show now spanning over a decade, fans are constantly looking for a complete, up-to-date record of every baker who has conquered the challenges of the terrifying kitchen set, from the inaugural season to the latest victor. As of December 2025, the most recent season, Season 11, has concluded, introducing a new master of macabre confections to the elite list of winners.

This comprehensive guide details every single winner of the prestigious competition, providing a full list of all 11 champions, a deep dive into the latest winner's background, and a look at the unforgettable creations that earned them the coveted title and the $25,000 grand prize. The show’s blend of intricate culinary skill and spooky storytelling has cemented its place in pop culture, and the bakers who master the art of the terrifyingly tasty dessert are truly in a league of their own.

The Reigning Champion: Melanie Bjork-Jensen (Season 11)

The most recent baker to join the pantheon of Halloween champions is Melanie Bjork-Jensen, who was crowned the Season 11 winner on October 27, 2025.

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Melanie’s victory was a compelling story of a self-taught baker rising to the top against seasoned professionals.

• Name: Melanie Bjork-Jensen
• Season Won: Season 11 (2025)
• Hometown/Origin: West Jordan, Utah
• Profession: Self-taught baker and nurse
• Winning Creation Theme: Her final winning cake was a deeply personal and emotional bake, themed around her fear of being crushed.
• Current Business: She is the owner of "Cake by Melanie," showcasing her incredible cake artistry skills.

Her journey was marked by consistent creativity and a knack for storytelling through her desserts, ultimately impressing judges Carla Hall, Zac Young, and Stephanie Boswell.

A Complete List of Every Halloween Baking Champion (Season 1–11)

Since its premiere in 2015, the Halloween Baking Championship has seen eleven talented bakers navigate the terrifying challenges set forth by host John Henson and the panel of judges. The grand prize for each season has consistently been $25,000, along with the prestigious title of Halloween Baking Champion.

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Here is the definitive, season-by-season list of every winner who has conquered the haunted kitchen:

Where Are They Now? Notable Winners and Their Haunting Creations

The title of Halloween Baking Champion often acts as a massive career boost, propelling the winners into the spotlight and allowing them to expand their businesses and brand. The show does more than just test technical skill; it demands imaginative, terrifying, and delicious storytelling.

The winning creations often become legendary, with judges using terms like "witchcraft" to describe the masterful blend of horror and flavor.

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Manny Martinez (Season 10, 2024)

Manny Martinez, the Season 10 champion, fully embodied the spirit of the competition with his horror-themed bakery, "The Grim Bakers," in San Antonio, Texas.

His victory was a testament to his unique style, which marries macabre aesthetics with sophisticated pastry techniques. In the finale, Manny won both the Thriller and Killer challenges, a rare feat.

His final, jaw-dropping dessert was a hazelnut praline chocolate mousse cake, which the judges lauded as "next-level" and "banging."

Renee Loranger (Season 7, 2021)

Renee Loranger's story is one of redemption and perseverance. After finishing as a runner-up in Season 6, she returned for Season 7 and claimed the grand prize.

Her final winning cake was a scary-good three-tier devil's food cake, featuring a hazelnut Swiss meringue buttercream filling that showcased her growth and determination.

Her victory proved that sometimes the scariest thing in the competition is facing your own past failures and returning stronger than ever.

Karl Fong (Season 5, 2019)

Karl Fong, a bakery owner from Hercules, California, was the champion of Season 5.

His success on the show led to further appearances on Food Network, cementing his status as a recognizable pastry talent. His ability to survive the zombie-themed challenges and deliver exceptional flavor secured his win against tough competition.

The Terrifying Trio: Host, Judges, and the $25,000 Prize

The consistent framework of the Halloween Baking Championship is as iconic as the terrifying desserts themselves. The show’s production team creates a truly immersive and chilling environment, which has evolved over the seasons to include a haunted house set and various spooky challenges.

The Host: John Henson

Comedian John Henson has long served as the show's host, providing the perfect blend of dark humor and theatrical flair.

Henson’s role is crucial in setting the tone, introducing the "Killer" and "Thriller" challenges, and guiding the nervous bakers through the haunted kitchen. His witty banter and spooky persona are a fan-favorite element of the series.

The Judges: Carla Hall, Zac Young, and Stephanie Boswell

The fate of the bakers rests in the hands of the esteemed judging panel, who must balance aesthetics with flavor.

The current and most recognizable judging lineup consists of:

• Carla Hall: Known for her infectious energy and focus on heart and soul in the baking.
• Zac Young: A renowned pastry chef who provides expert technical critique and a sharp eye for detail.
• Stephanie Boswell: The "Queen of Halloween" on the panel, she judges based on the story, theme, and overall execution of the horror concept.

The Grand Prize

Every season, the winner walks away with the grand prize of $25,000.

While some fans and critics suggest the prize money should be increased to attract even more top-tier talent, the title itself and the exposure on Food Network often prove to be the most valuable reward for the winning baker.

The competition remains a high-stakes, high-pressure environment where only the most creative, technically skilled, and mentally resilient baker can survive the terror of the kitchen and earn the coveted championship title.