Aaron Davis says as soon as he learned to use the TV remote, he was watching Food Network. Now he's vying for bragging rights and $25,000 on the holiday baking competition's ninth season.
“Having the opportunity to be on Food Network to participate like this is something I’ve wanted to do my entire life,” he says.
Davis works at Abbie Cakes Sweet Kitchen, the custom cakery and bakeshop that has served confections and coffee since opening its doors on North Dysart Road in Litchfield Park in 2019.
After six years in the industry, Davis was ready for the challenge. He drew on his experience, which has included some competitive cooking. As a high school student, Davis trained for the Careers through Culinary Arts Program cooking competition, which tests students' ability in the kitchen for the opportunity to receive a postsecondary scholarship. Davis received a full-ride that he to use at the Culinary Institute of America.
“A combination of those things helped me a lot through this competition – having to stay level-headed, think on my feet, adapt as needed – but it was a really fun experience,” he says.
Davis has baked since he was a toddler. He grew up in the kitchen with his grandmother, who previously owned a bakery in California and sparked his affinity for pies and bread.
“Being in the kitchen is something I’ve always known that I wanted to do,” he says.
Cake decorator Aaron Davis grew up baking with his grandmother, and highlighting his family and heritage is something he's enjoyed doing throughout the Holiday Baking Championship competition.
Courtesy of Food Network
He also says to head to the fridge and pull out your butter – he leaves a pound or two on his counter at all times – and eggs. Having those ingredients at room temperature when you start baking helps ensure they will properly emulsify when you mix them together.
For Davis, the heat is on right now as he and the Abbie Cakes crew gear up for the holiday season. You can try some of the treats Davis made on Holiday Baking Championship there. He bakes seasonal scones for the shop and this month is baking hot chocolate scones with marshmallows. Stollen-inspired scones with almonds, rum-soaked fruit, candied citrus zest, and marzipan, are also available, and draw on a challenge where he put his own twist on a Chilean fruitcake.
Davis "will most definitely be doing some baking,” for his family when they celebrate the holidays, including pies, cinnamon rolls, and scones including a cranberry, orange, and pistachio batch his mom specifically requested.
Highlighting his family and heritage through his creations and decorations is something that the show put in focus for Davis, he says, and something he hopes to continue to do through his social media.
“I think of food as an extension of yourself, your story, and your life, so being able to bring more of that to the table has been really cool,” he says.
Spoilers ahead: As of episode 6, which aired on December 5, Davis has punched his ticket to the semifinals as one of the six remaining bakers.
He said connecting with the group was the best part of the experience, and he stays in touch with them over calls and texts, swapping recipes and visiting each other.
“We had a really good group of people, where we all genuinely cared about each other and the success of each other,” he said, adding that the diversity of bakers, from experience to personal background shows viewers the many ways people can approach each challenge. “It gives a really unique perspective to the viewers.”
Holiday Baking Championship: Airs Mondays, 6 p.m. on the Food Network or streaming on foodnetwork.com and Discovery+
