As the holiday season approaches, the airwaves are about to be filled with the sights and sounds of a magical baking competition that blends the enchantment of the Wizarding World with the culinary artistry of some of the nation's top pastry chefs. "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking," a new six-episode series on the Food Network, is set to captivate audiences with its fantastical edible creations inspired by the beloved Harry Potter franchise.

Hometown Champ Kimberly Adams Brings Milwaukee Magic to the Wizarding World

Hometown Heroine Competes on Prestigious Baking Stage

Milwaukee's own Kimberly (Hall) Adams, a seasoned veteran of Food Network baking competitions, is set to showcase her skills on the national stage once again. Adams, who owns the local bakery Signature Sweets, will be teaming up with Charleston, South Carolina's Ashley Cardona to take on a diverse field of talented pastry chefs and cake artists from across the country.

Rigorous Audition Process Challenges Contestants

Adams, who has previously competed on shows like "Cupcake Wars," "Sugar Dome," and "Halloween Wars," says the audition process for "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking" was the most demanding she's ever experienced. "Normally, a producer will reach out and you might have one or two Zoom interviews," she explains. "But for this one, there was a Zoom interview and then they flew us out to Los Angeles for an in-person audition. We had to bring a dessert with us and create an additional dessert from scratch while we were there."

Diverse Skillsets and Magical Inspiration Fuel Competition

The competition itself also pushed Adams to draw upon a broader range of her culinary expertise. "Normally I'm cake all day, but this time the challenges required me to apply my full range of pastry knowledge as well," she says. "I consider myself a lifetime learner, and I knew I wanted to have the background behind me before I got into teaching. All of that knowledge came in handy."

Hometown Fans Invited to Cheer on Local Champ

Local fans of Adams and the Harry Potter franchise will have the opportunity to join in the excitement on November 14th, when the show premieres. A watch party is planned at Reign Event Lounge in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, where Adams and her teammates will be on hand to celebrate the debut of the highly anticipated series.

Iconic Wizarding Locales Serve as Backdrop for Magical Baking

The show's producers have spared no expense in creating an immersive Wizarding World experience for the contestants. The teams will be tasked with creating edible showpieces that tell the story of their shared love for Harry Potter, and they'll have the remarkable opportunity to present their creations in iconic locations from the films, including Platform 9 ¾, The Great Hall, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest.

Winning Team to Appear in New Harry Potter Cookbook

The team that emerges victorious from the competition will not only take home the first-ever Wizards of Baking Cup, but they'll also have the chance to appear in a new Harry Potter-themed cookbook, further cementing their place in the pantheon of magical culinary excellence.