Next Level Baker Season 1 Episode 3

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Next Level Baker Season 1 Episode 3  #NextLevelBaker #RealityInsightHub   🎞 Please subscribe to our official channel to watch the full movie for free, as soon as possible. ❤️Reality Insight Hub❤️ 👉 Official Channel:  />👉 THANK YOU ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Transcript

00:00:00T'was the week before Christmas and all through the tower,

00:00:05the kitchens were covered in sugar and flour.

00:00:08These desserts need to be perfect.

00:00:10Only six bakers left.

00:00:12The finale's in sight.

00:00:14You have to create a three-tiered cake.

00:00:16Each tier baked on a different level.

00:00:20Ah!

00:00:21Who will crumble?

00:00:22This is straight insanity.

00:00:24And who will shine bright?

00:00:26It's delicious.

00:00:28My only advice before we begin, bake it next level.

00:00:31If you want to win, the winner of Next Level Baker.

00:00:35That's the title you will have forever.

00:00:38It is everything.

00:00:39It is...

00:00:54Oh, my goodness.

00:00:55Oh, my God.

00:00:57Oh, my God.

00:00:58Oh, my God.

00:01:01Good morning, little guy.

00:01:05Nikki, you look petrified.

00:01:06You've seen a reindeer before, haven't you?

00:01:08Yes.

00:01:08And my dad's name is Rudolph.

00:01:10Oh!

00:01:11I love that.

00:01:13I feel like I just got a thick bear hug from my daddy.

00:01:17And he said, don't tear that ass up.

00:01:21Dasha and Dancer are all set to whisk you off to the grand finale.

00:01:27Sadly, the sleigh over here only has room for five of you talented bakers.

00:01:32All of you know what that means.

00:01:34Six of you remain, but only five can move forward for a chance at the title of the first ever Next Level Baker.

00:01:43If you want it, you have to earn it first with one last bake.

00:01:47Are you ready?

00:01:48Yes.

00:01:49We're ready.

00:01:50Now, baking around the holidays is not just about the sweet treats, right?

00:01:54It's also about those incredible savory comfort foods that really do bring the family around the table.

00:02:00So, for this challenge, we want to see incredible festive savory showstoppers.

00:02:07Is it that incredible pot pie?

00:02:09Or a spicy sausage wreath.

00:02:11A delicious beef wellington.

00:02:12Think about it.

00:02:13That's what we're looking for.

00:02:15Oh, gosh.

00:02:16I don't do savory.

00:02:18Savory is not my wheelhouse.

00:02:19This is going to be challenging.

00:02:21Make sure you're in that sleigh at the end of the round.

00:02:24Don't play it safe.

00:02:26Right, okay, based on your last performance in the previous round, Stephanie and Jeff, you're off to the top level kitchen, and I will meet you there.

00:02:34Okay.

00:02:35Zoha and Chloe, you are back with me in the middle level.

00:02:39Yay!

00:02:40Yay!

00:02:41Which means, Deirdre and Nikki, you're in the basement with me.

00:02:46You'll have 60 minutes to create a next-level savory holiday showstopper.

00:02:54Remember, a spot in the finale is on the line.

00:02:58All right, head to the elevators.

00:03:00We'll see you shortly.

00:03:01You got this, y'all.

00:03:03Good luck.

00:03:04Oh, I was hoping for 75.

00:03:06I was hoping for 75.

00:03:08Oh.

00:03:09Back in the basement.

00:03:23Oh, my gosh.

00:03:25That doll scared me so bad.

00:03:27Yeah, I told you she'd stare at you.

00:03:29I had become very familiar with the basement, the doll sitting there.

00:03:34We have a relationship, real evil-like, too.

00:03:37With the red eyes.

00:03:38Yes.

00:03:42Let's go.

00:03:44Let's go.

00:03:45You've got this.

00:03:46Can't wait to see it.

00:03:47Okay.

00:03:48Having been on every single level so far, I'm feeling really good about going into middle kitchen today.

00:03:53I'm comfortable there.

00:03:54It's the one level that, actually, I feel like I'm home.

00:03:56It is not the basement.

00:03:58That's for sure.

00:04:01The basement.

00:04:04Okay, all right.

00:04:07Let's go, Jeff.

00:04:09Wow.

00:04:10I've been dreaming of the top kitchen.

00:04:12Finally made it.

00:04:13Oh, we've got lots of stuff.

00:04:16Have a good one.

00:04:17Have a good one.

00:04:18All right, thank you.

00:04:20Hello.

00:04:21Welcome back to the basement.

00:04:24I don't want to be back, but I am.

00:04:26All right, let's do a quick huddle.

00:04:27Remember, bakers, by the time the platform arrives to the basement, it's going to be picked over.

00:04:31But we can still make magic.

00:04:33When we're up against a wall, this is when we are our most creative.

00:04:37Oh, I'm so nervous about this grab.

00:04:39I always freeze.

00:04:41Well, one thing we're excited about today, you're not going to be giving us a butt kick.

00:04:48What up, what up, what up?

00:04:50We are back together.

00:04:52Oh, gosh.

00:04:53Think about a back up.

00:04:54Got it.

00:04:55Get a back up.

00:04:56So that if something goes awry, you're not like a deer in headlights.

00:04:59Yeah.

00:05:00What up, shall I say, a reindeer in headlights?

00:05:01Yeah.

00:05:02Yeah.

00:05:03Okay.

00:05:04I'm going to start off.

00:05:05I'm not the start.

00:05:06God.

00:05:06Come on.

00:05:07We're so good.

00:05:08We're so good.

00:05:08Yes!

00:05:09Yes!

00:05:13Let's go.

00:05:14How are you feeling?

00:05:14I'm excited.

00:05:15You good?

00:05:15Yeah.

00:05:16I'm excited.

00:05:16Likewise.

00:05:17How are you feeling?

00:05:17Feeling good.

00:05:18Good.

00:05:18Bakers, line up, please, against the elevator.

00:05:21Here we go.

00:05:22Grab, grab, grab.

00:05:24It's the holidays.

00:05:25Be generous to us in the basement.

00:05:28Don't be greedy.

00:05:30What do you mean, don't be greedy?

00:05:31Don't be greedy up there, either.

00:05:33We got the finger later.

00:05:34Right.

00:05:35Platform is moving.

00:05:37Five, four, three, two, one.

00:05:41Let's go.

00:05:42Let's go.

00:05:43Lobster's there.

00:05:44First thing I see is lobster.

00:05:46Every Christmas, my family celebrates with some kind of lobster.

00:05:50My dad is always the one to make it, and I choose it,

00:05:53even though I've only made it once in my life.

00:05:55Oh, my goodness me, lobster.

00:05:57Wow.

00:05:59I'm thinking, I can make a lobster pot pie.

00:06:03I grab the chicken breast.

00:06:05Good, chicken breast, love that.

00:06:06I'm grabbing mozzarella cheese, gonna go into my hougeres.

00:06:10That's sage, be careful.

00:06:11That's very strong.

00:06:1212 seconds.

00:06:14When you get most of the ingredients of a recipe

00:06:16you have in mind, I'll take the blessing.

00:06:18Oh, my goodness me.

00:06:20Let's go.

00:06:21Platform is moving.

00:06:23Well done.

00:06:25Whoo!

00:06:26Yes, go.

00:06:27We have rosemary, oregano.

00:06:30I see ground beef, and I'm thinking quiche.

00:06:32Get in there.

00:06:33Boop, I immediately go for beef.

00:06:35Parsnips, we have fake-a-bix, we have vinegars.

00:06:37Fine goat cheese.

00:06:39If you're doing anything with cream, mustard is a great flavor carrier.

00:06:42This is actually really good.

00:06:44I see chicken thighs, and not my favorite, but...

00:06:48Immediate grab.

00:06:49You have your chicken.

00:06:50I am really hoping to be able to bring some Pakistani flavors.

00:06:53I want to make some sort of tandoori chicken.

00:06:55Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese.

00:06:57Chicken, yogurt, cheese, garlic greens.

00:06:58Chicken, yogurt, cheese, garlic greens.

00:07:01Guys, come on.

00:07:03Now I see everything on there.

00:07:04Oh, that was hard.

00:07:05I don't know what I grabbed, to be honest.

00:07:07I don't think I got everything I wanted.

00:07:08All right, here it comes.

00:07:12Your legs so long, you always outrun me.

00:07:14I'm like, what did I sign up for?

00:07:17Go, go, go, go, go!

00:07:20Oh, we have salmon.

00:07:21Who leaves salmon to get in the basement?

00:07:24I snatched that up real quick.

00:07:25Deirdre, got your salmon.

00:07:27Do you see wine?

00:07:28Thanks.

00:07:29I'm gonna make a good-ass dish with this.

00:07:31Okay, we got top sirloin.

00:07:32I see red meat for top sirloin, and I grabbed it.

00:07:36Go, go, go, 15 seconds, ladies.

00:07:39I was looking for fresh greens.

00:07:41There's collard greens over here.

00:07:43Collard greens.

00:07:44Oh, my God.

00:07:45I'm so happy that I get to prove

00:07:48that I'm more than the cake lady.

00:07:51Grab it, grab it.

00:07:51We got red bell pepper here.

00:07:53I'm going to make a southern soul food pot pie

00:07:57straight out the south.

00:07:59Oh, yes, I got this.

00:08:02Your 60 minutes start now.

00:08:04Off you go.

00:08:06An amazing showstopper bake.

00:08:09Jeff, what are you thinking?

00:08:10I'm thinking Parisian gnocchi,

00:08:12and I'm gonna match that with, like, chicken breast

00:08:14I can medallion and cut on a bias.

00:08:17Right, that's not a bake.

00:08:18Well, with the Parisian gnocchi,

00:08:20it's gonna be a pile of savory choux,

00:08:22kind of like a gougere on the side.

00:08:24A gougere.

00:08:25Ambitious.

00:08:26And what are you gonna stuff them with?

00:08:27What are you gonna put inside?

00:08:28I want them to be airy and light

00:08:29so they can mop up some sauce.

00:08:31It's tough on this one.

00:08:32Okay, showstopper.

00:08:34Tonight will be a true test for these bakers

00:08:36because 95% of what they do is all sweet.

00:08:38This one is a savory challenge,

00:08:39using some incredible proteins.

00:08:42So lobster pot pie, right?

00:08:44Lobster pot pie.

00:08:45And a smart idea with the fresh peas and beautiful corn.

00:08:48Are you gonna cook the lobster in the sauce?

00:08:50Or are you gonna cook it beforehand?

00:08:52Well, I might sauté it in a little bit of butter.

00:08:55Yeah, I'm just worried about that overcooking,

00:08:57just literally 30 seconds.

00:08:58Okay.

00:08:59I don't know how to work with claws,

00:09:00but figure it out.

00:09:02The biggest mistake that a baker could make

00:09:04across a challenge like this,

00:09:06over-complication.

00:09:08It's gotta be cohesive

00:09:09and it needs to have that wow factor.

00:09:11You good?

00:09:12Yeah, I'm gonna get the sugar on right away.

00:09:13Get that in straight away.

00:09:17Chloe, what did you grab?

00:09:19Ground beef, three different cheeses,

00:09:21including goat cheese.

00:09:22Oh, nice.

00:09:23I got prosciutto, red pepper.

00:09:25I got some rosemary.

00:09:26Okay.

00:09:27What is your ultimate dish?

00:09:28My ultimate dish is going to be a quiche.

00:09:30Tell me about your sister.

00:09:31So I know that she means a lot to you,

00:09:32because you raised her.

00:09:33Yes.

00:09:34So talk to me about what she would want in her quiche.

00:09:36My sister would want so much cheese.

00:09:39She's a cheese, weird cheese girls.

00:09:42My relationship with my little sister

00:09:44is really special for me.

00:09:46We lost our mom to brain cancer a few years ago,

00:09:50and my husband and I started raising her.

00:09:52My mother asked me to raise her and just,

00:09:55she said, don't disappoint me.

00:09:57Don't disappoint me, Pippi.

00:09:59Make her exactly what I did for you.

00:10:01And I have.

00:10:03Today we have a guest baker, my little sister.

00:10:06She's 20 years younger than me,

00:10:08and she's a middle schooler,

00:10:09and I don't know how many people know this,

00:10:10but they're terrifying at this age.

00:10:12She is ready to have some fun.

00:10:14Definitely very confident.

00:10:16I would do anything in the world to give her the world.

00:10:20So talk to me about savory.

00:10:21You seem pretty comfortable.

00:10:22Do you do a lot of savory food?

00:10:23I, my husband, no.

00:10:27So my husband, you know, he's the cook in our house.

00:10:30Working with me is not something I do.

00:10:32Me make cookie, not beef.

00:10:35So you gotta, you have to channel Tyler.

00:10:37I do, and he's talking in my head saying,

00:10:39more seasoning, that doesn't taste like anything.

00:10:41All right, so y'all think about flavor.

00:10:43Think about building flavor.

00:10:44Yes, Karla.

00:10:45I got this, I got this.

00:10:48All right, Zoha, what did you pick?

00:10:52Okay, I got chicken, chicken thighs.

00:10:54I'm so sorry, I don't know what I'm doing

00:10:55when it comes to butchering chicken.

00:10:57There's more flavor in the thighs because of the fat.

00:10:59If I'm ever working with chicken,

00:11:00it's chicken breast with no fat on it.

00:11:02I know that's like the opposite of everything

00:11:04that's supposed to be good.

00:11:05My husband makes fun of me.

00:11:07But I just get a little queasy around the fats.

00:11:10So what are you making?

00:11:11I'm gonna make a kandoori chicken naan pizza.

00:11:15Okay.

00:11:16Basically make it like a pizza

00:11:17with a kandoori chicken filling.

00:11:19And then hopefully serve it with some sort of yogurt

00:11:21rice on the side.

00:11:22Okay, all right.

00:11:24Karla's reaction to my open pizza.

00:11:27That was not very fun.

00:11:28Think about like how you would make your dish festive.

00:11:33We asked for a savory showstopper

00:11:35and she is making a pizza.

00:11:38So I'm worried about that.

00:11:39This is the last challenge before the finale.

00:11:43You want to get to the other side.

00:11:46Think like a savory chef.

00:11:48It's maybe the stress of the finale

00:11:49or the stress of having to butcher this however I can.

00:11:52I don't know what I'm gonna do.

00:11:53I'm just stressing the f*** right now.

00:12:03Deirdre, talk to me about your savory bakes.

00:12:05Yeah, so I grabbed salmon,

00:12:07which I'm actually surprised came down here.

00:12:09How did it get all the way down here?

00:12:10I know.

00:12:10Actually, I wasn't thinking about it as an option,

00:12:13but it would work pretty well as like a seafood cobbler.

00:12:15I got a little spice.

00:12:16I'm thinking I could spice up the dish.

00:12:18I've never made a salmon cobbler,

00:12:20but I make salmon at home all the time.

00:12:22And I think I cook it perfectly almost every time.

00:12:25I'm wondering if we have pastry cutters.

00:12:27It's high hopes, but I'm gonna take a look around.

00:12:29I feel like my mind is pretty creative

00:12:31having to make like five to ten recipes a week in my job.

00:12:35Oh my gosh, I forget.

00:12:36There's like no cookie cutters in here, right?

00:12:38Yikes.

00:12:39Being a food photographer,

00:12:41I do make it a point to make the things that I bake

00:12:44both beautiful and tasty.

00:12:47So I need to make sure the buttermilk biscuits on top

00:12:49are delicious and amazing.

00:12:51Deirdre, you are already thinking of presentation here.

00:12:54We've got colors going on.

00:12:56I'm gonna make a biscuit red and green for the holidays.

00:12:59Top them with a little thyme.

00:13:01Is that an old tuna can you're using as a cutter?

00:13:04It is.

00:13:04You know what, I didn't even realize at first.

00:13:06Basically, it does with it, you know, the same thing.

00:13:08That's right.

00:13:09Trash becomes treasure in the basement.

00:13:11It definitely does.

00:13:13I would love to have a measuring cup.

00:13:17When you're in the basement, you have to be scrappy.

00:13:19Sometimes a solo cup has to become a measuring cup.

00:13:24And it can be because this first line is half a cup,

00:13:27second line is one cup, and the top is one and a half cups.

00:13:31Didn't know that.

00:13:32Who knew?

00:13:32He knew that, literally.

00:13:34So in a pinch, in a college dorm room,

00:13:36you can do some serious baking.

00:13:39I ain't mad at the basement today.

00:13:43It's got everything I need.

00:13:48Think like a savory chef.

00:13:50Build flavors.

00:13:51And also, I want you to think about how you would serve it

00:13:54as a showstopper.

00:13:55So that means building things, right?

00:13:57Okay, Karla.

00:13:58You've got this.

00:13:59Thank God for Karla, because Karla comes and helps me realize

00:14:03I'm just doing a plain round pizza.

00:14:05What if I do like two rounds, put them on top of each other

00:14:08with the filling inside, do like a twisty star snowflake shape.

00:14:12That is beautiful.

00:14:13Thank you, Karla.

00:14:14It is gorgeous.

00:14:15Thank you, Karla.

00:14:16That is not a pizza.

00:14:17I changed my mind.

00:14:19I thought I could make a snowflake with it.

00:14:21It's really ambitious to try to do an enriched naan bread dough

00:14:25in just 60 minutes.

00:14:26I'm just really keeping my fingers crossed that the bread is baked properly.

00:14:30Did you know you were going to roll it like that?

00:14:32No.

00:14:33You just came up with that?

00:14:34Yeah.

00:14:35I am so excited.

00:14:36Yes.

00:14:37All right, Nikki.

00:14:39You did indeed find your collard greens.

00:14:42I did.

00:14:43So happy for you.

00:14:45And some red meat.

00:14:46Yeah.

00:14:47So you must be feeling pretty happy.

00:14:49I'm very happy.

00:14:50Thank goodness.

00:14:51Tell me a little bit more about your dad, Rudolph, Nikki.

00:14:54Oh, my gosh.

00:14:56The most amazing person I've met in my life other than my husband.

00:15:01Oh.

00:15:02I did manage to get a husband much like my father.

00:15:07My husband stepped in and picked up where my dad finished spoiling me.

00:15:11Well, I don't know.

00:15:12It seems like you spoil your family with all this good cooking.

00:15:15Yeah, I spoil them and they spoil me.

00:15:18My tribe at home, my grandkids, my husband, especially my daddy,

00:15:24he's always said, you can do whatever you want to do.

00:15:28You want to be next level baker?

00:15:30Go be next level baker.

00:15:33I need to channel them and make them proud.

00:15:36I'm going to fight to the nitty gritty.

00:15:39Love it.

00:15:40I can tell you're here to win.

00:15:41OK.

00:15:42Oven, oven, oven.

00:15:47Guys, look.

00:15:48Another mid-round surprise.

00:15:49It looks like the reindeers, they've chosen this one.

00:15:52Carrots, right?

00:15:53Some beautiful carrots here, by the way.

00:15:54Oh, my lord.

00:15:55Oh, guys.

00:15:56Come on.

00:15:57Oh, no.

00:15:58Look at the carrots.

00:15:59You've got carrot juice.

00:16:00You've got carrot baby food.

00:16:01You've got baby carrots.

00:16:02Oh, my god.

00:16:03What did I grab?

00:16:04Carrot baby food.

00:16:05Hope this works.

00:16:06Looks like the reindeer have left us a surprise.

00:16:08Grab whatever you can to add to your stews.

00:16:10Go, go, go.

00:16:11That thing be going too fast.

00:16:15Oh, my god.

00:16:16I'm loving carrot juice, carrot baby food, because it's already cooked.

00:16:19Right?

00:16:20We're talking vinaigrette.

00:16:21Yeah.

00:16:22We're talking carrots.

00:16:23Yeah.

00:16:24So let's taste it.

00:16:25See if you're needing to.

00:16:26Oh!

00:16:27Kyla!

00:16:28You should do this for, like, professionally.

00:16:29Oh, my God.

00:16:30Oh, my God.

00:16:31Oh, my God.

00:16:32Oh, my God.

00:16:33Oh, my God.

00:16:34Oh, my God.

00:16:35Oh, my God.

00:16:36Oh, my God.

00:16:37Oh, my God.

00:16:39Oh, my God.

00:16:40Oh, my God.

00:16:41Oh, my God.

00:16:42Oh, my God.

00:16:43Oh, my God.

00:16:44Oh, my God.

00:16:45Oh, my God.

00:16:46Huh.

00:16:47Wait.

00:16:48Time-check?

00:16:51Time-check.

00:16:53Carla.

00:16:54Time, please.

00:16:5635 minutes to go.

00:16:57Thank you, Carla.

00:16:58Both Zoha and Chloe are very intense in very different ways.

00:17:04Let's go, chies.

00:17:05Yes.

00:17:06Zoha is like, give me the time.

00:17:08Time-check.

00:17:09Chloe is like, stay out of my phase.

00:17:12Do it last.

00:17:13I can't find a tap.

00:17:13What's happening?

00:17:14I'm, oh, my God.

00:17:15What do you need?

00:17:16It's like, ah, ooh, ah, ooh.

00:17:18Really nice to have some oven mitts in here.

00:17:23Time check.

00:17:2423 minutes left.

00:17:26How you doing up there?

00:17:27Oh, my God.

00:17:28How's it going down there?

00:17:30Oh, it's awesome.

00:17:31We have festive biscuits rising in the oven.

00:17:34That's what I smell.

00:17:35Ho, ho, ho.

00:17:36It's the holidays down here in the basement.

00:17:38OK.

00:17:39Nikki, how you doing down there?

00:17:40You're doing amazing.

00:17:41She's using a PVC pipe for a rolling pin.

00:17:44And she's making things work.

00:17:46Next thing you know, she'll be buying one for home.

00:17:48I already have one.

00:17:5120 minutes remaining.

00:17:54A spot in the grand finale is on the line.

00:17:57I want you both in there.

00:17:58Yes.

00:17:59Yes, Chef.

00:18:00Steph, look out if that lobster isn't overcooked now.

00:18:02OK.

00:18:03Off the heat.

00:18:04Do you mind tasting that to see what you've...

00:18:05Yeah, taste with me.

00:18:08Give me a touch more salt.

00:18:10I keep adding it.

00:18:11I guess it just...

00:18:12Just a touch.

00:18:12Don't forget, the lobster's very sweet.

00:18:13Being in the top level with Chef Ramsay is definitely more stressful than baking at home with my four kids.

00:18:20Although my kids also rate my food.

00:18:22They'll be like, I would give this meal an 8 out of 10.

00:18:25I'm not kidding you.

00:18:27Christmas Day, is it chaotic?

00:18:28Is it mad?

00:18:29Oh, I love Christmas morning.

00:18:31We wake up early and usually I'll make like cinnamon rolls or just something like that.

00:18:36And then the chaos starts.

00:18:38We have a big family.

00:18:39There's eight of us.

00:18:39You have twins?

00:18:40I think I read somewhere that they were premature.

00:18:42Is that...

00:18:42They were very premature, yeah.

00:18:44Due on the 14th of February, Valentine's Day.

00:18:46And they were born on Millennial Eve, 1999.

00:18:48Are you serious?

00:18:49That's incredible.

00:18:50He has twins and I have twins and his twins were premature and my twins were incredibly premature.

00:18:55And so it feels like we really do have a bond.

00:18:57I tried to suggest to Tana, why don't we have one each side?

00:18:59One on 1999, one that she told me politely to myself.

00:19:02A terrible idea.

00:19:04I think we're best friends.

00:19:09We're just over 18 minutes to go.

00:19:14It would mean so much to me to get into the final.

00:19:17I learned how to bake in the evenings, on weekends.

00:19:20I spent a year sacrificing any free time to go into culinary school dedicated to people like me who had full-time jobs.

00:19:29Are you having those?

00:19:30Yeah.

00:19:30So you're not stuffing them?

00:19:31No, I'm not stuffing them.

00:19:32I didn't put too much cheese in it.

00:19:34I didn't want it to be overpowering.

00:19:35So getting to the finale recognizes all the work I put into being a quality baker.

00:19:42Let's run through.

00:19:43I'm going to plate the gnocchi kind of in a line.

00:19:46Yep.

00:19:46In between those I'm going to lay chicken breast.

00:19:48Gotcha.

00:19:49And the buns are going to kind of go off to the side here.

00:19:51Now bring it together now.

00:19:52Yeah.

00:19:53Okay.

00:19:53A lot of elements going on there, young man.

00:19:55Don't let me down.

00:19:56Yes, chef.

00:19:56Please.

00:19:58Stay focused, bakers.

00:20:00A spot in the finale is on the line.

00:20:05I do think my savory bake is good enough to get me in the finals.

00:20:08It's got perfectly cooked salmon, in my opinion, and a delicious fluffy biscuit on top.

00:20:13I feel really good about the sauce.

00:20:15All the flavors work really well together.

00:20:19Oh.

00:20:22Wow.

00:20:23Fifteen minutes remaining.

00:20:34Oh.

00:20:36What happened?

00:20:37Um, the top just came off as I was shaking it into...

00:20:40We've had a seafood seasoning explosion.

00:20:45How did it taste, Deirdre?

00:20:47A bit salty.

00:20:48I'm literally thinking of all the ways I could pivot right now.

00:20:50I'm like, what am I going to do to make this not as salty as it is?

00:20:54I'm freaking out.

00:20:56Deirdre, would you have time to start again with just a butter, flour, roux, a little bit of fish stock, and then adding in some of your existing?

00:21:04Mm.

00:21:04Let's see what we can do.

00:21:09We're down to ten minutes to go.

00:21:12Can't wait to see what you make, Jeff.

00:21:13Likewise, Jeff.

00:21:14Uh, where are the thermometers?

00:21:16Do you know?

00:21:18Never mind.

00:21:18I have one.

00:21:19I just want to tell these.

00:21:20No, no, no, no.

00:21:20Look at me.

00:21:21Just touch them.

00:21:21I promise you, they're raw.

00:21:22Sorry.

00:21:23I'm here to help you, but I promise you now, it's way too dangerous.

00:21:26Yeah, it's still raw.

00:21:27Nine minutes means nine minutes.

00:21:29Nine minutes.

00:21:29Okay.

00:21:30Heard, Jeff.

00:21:31Let's go.

00:21:32Earn your spot in the finals, ladies.

00:21:36It's not giving me the color I want.

00:21:39If this pie doesn't brown, get the medic, and please make sure she's outstretched.

00:21:46Okay.

00:21:47Come on, Nikki J.

00:21:49Rudolph is counting on you.

00:21:51And my grandkids.

00:21:51Rudolph and Todd and the whole gang are cheering real loud for you right now.

00:21:56I can hear them.

00:21:57This is a competition, and it's for the finale.

00:22:01Come on, brown gods.

00:22:06I'm going to tell you, it smells so good.

00:22:08My mouth is watering, and you all are amazing.

00:22:12Hold on.

00:22:13Hold the phone.

00:22:14You are getting this beautiful puff in your eggs.

00:22:16I'm sorry.

00:22:16I love eggs so much.

00:22:17Isn't it great?

00:22:18I'm not getting any jiggle.

00:22:19What do you think?

00:22:20I think you're good.

00:22:21I think you're good.

00:22:22I'm going to pull them.

00:22:23Take them out.

00:22:24Yeah.

00:22:24Be careful.

00:22:25Gentle.

00:22:26These look so incredible.

00:22:29Oh, my gosh.

00:22:31Oh, that's heavy.

00:22:32Sorry.

00:22:33Sorry.

00:22:35Boom.

00:22:35That is gorgeous.

00:22:36To get into the finale, you have got to bring your A-game and make it feel like holidays

00:22:44and perfect.

00:22:45I really hope that it baked beautifully on the bottom.

00:22:48That's so unpredictable.

00:22:50It might be in the finale.

00:22:52I did not think I was getting this far.

00:22:53But I'm feeling pretty confident that I'm not going home to the holidays right now.

00:23:00Christmas tree.

00:23:01Christmas tree.

00:23:02Oh, my God.

00:23:03Is that ugly?

00:23:05No.

00:23:05It's not ugly.

00:23:06This looks like a showstopper.

00:23:08Let's do it.

00:23:09I'm nervous.

00:23:10I don't want it to break.

00:23:10Okay.

00:23:11Woo.

00:23:13How is it?

00:23:14Is it cooked?

00:23:15Looks pretty brown all around.

00:23:17I think so.

00:23:17Okay.

00:23:18Garlic butter.

00:23:19Oh, my God.

00:23:19Stop it.

00:23:20Stop it right now.

00:23:21It's a non-bread, Carla.

00:23:2290 seconds.

00:23:24You good?

00:23:25Yep.

00:23:26I just want to try and tower it up as much as possible there.

00:23:29Not necessarily trying to crowd it, but I want that to be a centerpiece.

00:23:32The platform is descending downstairs.

00:23:34That means it's coming up soon.

00:23:40Platform is on its way.

00:23:43Here it comes, ladies.

00:23:44Don't let it pass you by.

00:23:46Woo.

00:23:47Shit.

00:23:48Go, go, go.

00:23:48Let's get those bakes on the platform.

00:23:52Insanity.

00:23:54We did it.

00:23:57Okay.

00:23:57The platform.

00:23:58Come on, the platform.

00:23:59The decisions are over.

00:24:01Soha, don't miss it.

00:24:02Carefully.

00:24:04Oh, my God.

00:24:06Oh, my God.

00:24:07It looks good.

00:24:08It looks good.

00:24:09Woo.

00:24:11Platform's here.

00:24:12Let's go.

00:24:12We got this.

00:24:13Do not miss that platform.

00:24:14Come on.

00:24:15Turn and burn.

00:24:16Let's go, guys.

00:24:18It waits for no one.

00:24:19Let's go.

00:24:19It waits for no one.

00:24:20Well done.

00:24:22Yes, yes, yes.

00:24:23Good job.

00:24:24Yeah, I'm good.

00:24:31Mmm.

00:24:32Very good.

00:24:32Look at this.

00:24:35Wow.

00:24:36Look at that.

00:24:38Wow.

00:24:39Man, it smells festive.

00:24:40Right?

00:24:41Had a little bit.

00:24:41Holidays.

00:24:42Mm-hmm.

00:24:42Delicious.

00:24:42Unfortunately, there are six of you, and there are only five spots in the finale.

00:24:50Right.

00:24:51Where should we start, ladies?

00:24:52Top floor?

00:24:52Okay.

00:24:53Yes.

00:24:53Let's go.

00:24:55These are Stephanie's lobster pot pie.

00:24:58Wow.

00:24:58Shall we dig in?

00:24:59Yes.

00:25:00Do it.

00:25:00This looks amazing.

00:25:04It feels decadent, yet cozy and homey.

00:25:08Just that perfect balance of celebration and Christmas.

00:25:12Lobsters cook beautifully.

00:25:13I love the spice, the heat.

00:25:15Well done.

00:25:16This is Jeff's gougere with pan-roasted chicken, gnocchi with a carrot puree underneath.

00:25:23I will be honest, it's not a showstopping holiday bake.

00:25:27It's components of a bake.

00:25:29I think if you're going to call something a gougere, you do need cheese.

00:25:31I wish you'd stuffed these, but they cook beautifully.

00:25:36When they cook on the chicken, yeah, beautiful.

00:25:38I mean, really beautiful.

00:25:39They like my gougeres.

00:25:40I'm feeling a little relieved.

00:25:42I just hope that it's enough.

00:25:44All right, shall we move up to the middle level?

00:25:46The best level?

00:25:47What?

00:25:49All right, to start, we have Chloe's ground beef holiday quiche.

00:25:54There's a carrot puree in the quiche, and then the carrot salad with a carrot vinaigrette.

00:25:59Okay, let's see what you're talking about.

00:26:03Look at that.

00:26:04That is beautiful.

00:26:05I think what I'm excited about already is just the crispiness of that pastry.

00:26:10That is a savory flavor bomb.

00:26:13Pastry exceptional, and I love the little acidity with the pickled carrots.

00:26:16Smart.

00:26:19All right, next up.

00:26:20This is Zoha's Tandoori Chicken Holiday Naan Star.

00:26:25We have a carrot writer, and then we have a little chutney.

00:26:31Look at that.

00:26:32It's fun to have the theater of pulling.

00:26:34Share and share.

00:26:35Yeah, and sharing.

00:26:45It's delicious.

00:26:46We said showstopper, and it is just that.

00:26:50It's stunning.

00:26:51I just love the technical ability of this beautiful twist.

00:26:54In a very traditional shape for the holidays.

00:26:57Did you use a thigh?

00:26:58Yeah.

00:26:59Yeah, so the flavor of that thigh is incredible.

00:27:00Move over, chicken breast.

00:27:02The thighs are in town.

00:27:04All right, the basement.

00:27:06Please.

00:27:06Okay, this is Nikki's Southern Soul Food Pot Pie, made with top sirloin with candied carrots.

00:27:13Really, really flaky pie crust.

00:27:19I love the flavor of the sauce.

00:27:22It's warm.

00:27:23It's inviting.

00:27:24It's definitely a savory bake.

00:27:25Congratulations.

00:27:27All right, next up.

00:27:29Deirdre's Spicy Salmon Cobbler, topped with holiday biscuits.

00:27:33I love the way it looks.

00:27:36The seasoning is really overpowering.

00:27:46That spice is starting to build in my mouth.

00:27:48I could probably only have like three bites or so.

00:27:51The seasonings were still there more than I had hoped they'd be, and I feel like I'm probably

00:27:56going to go home.

00:27:57Ugh.

00:28:06Wow.

00:28:08Deirdre, the seasoning is really overpowering.

00:28:11She had a bit of a mishap.

00:28:13Deirdre was putting her seasoning into her stew.

00:28:17Oh.

00:28:17And the entire bottle of seasoning went into her stew, and it was salty as all get out.

00:28:22She had to start again.

00:28:24Wow.

00:28:24Listen, it is on maximum seasoning, I'll be honest.

00:28:29But the biscuits, exceptional.

00:28:31And the salmon, it's delicious.

00:28:33Really good.

00:28:36Sadly, only five of you will continue to the grand finale.

00:28:40Man, it's going to come down to the wire.

00:28:42Excuse us, please.

00:28:43Wow.

00:28:44This is hard.

00:28:45Very hard.

00:28:46My goodness me.

00:28:47You guys did anything.

00:28:49That tandoori.

00:28:51No, I'm, oh my goodness me.

00:28:53That was the first time I saw you take a second bite.

00:28:55Oh my gosh.

00:28:56Now I didn't want to put it down.

00:28:58I think you were saying.

00:29:00For the basement.

00:29:02I have to say, I've never seen Nikki so comfortable.

00:29:04I think that's been one of her best cooks.

00:29:05I agree.

00:29:06Deirdre's cobbler.

00:29:07I could tell that spice had been dumped in, because it was hot.

00:29:09I'd struggle to finish that.

00:29:11But Deirdre's biscuits, incredible.

00:29:14I thought the texture of the biscuits were perfect.

00:29:17And it was a showstopper.

00:29:18It was gorgeous.

00:29:19Top floor, the lobster pot pie.

00:29:21I think Stephanie knows how to put together flavor.

00:29:22Yeah.

00:29:23Kudos for her, being a phenomenal baker.

00:29:25Yeah.

00:29:26Grabbing a lobster and cooking it beautifully.

00:29:28Oh yeah, absolutely.

00:29:29Moving on to the dish I've been dying to talk about.

00:29:31Yeah.

00:29:32Because I'm still scratching my head.

00:29:33Jeff's buffet platter.

00:29:35Well put, Carla.

00:29:36I thought the Gouges were incredible.

00:29:37Oh, they were.

00:29:38They were some of the best we've had.

00:29:39And that's the bake side, right?

00:29:40Yes, I know.

00:29:40And then all these other elements went in.

00:29:42Right, if only he'd brought them together.

00:29:45Listen, this is for the final spot in the finale.

00:29:47And it's a toss-up between the salty cobbler, or is it the three dishes in one with the Gouges?

00:29:52Okay, right.

00:29:53Tough, tough, tough, tough.

00:29:55Yeah.

00:29:56All right.

00:29:56Good luck, everyone.

00:29:57Good luck, everybody.

00:29:58Hey.

00:30:02Woo, let's get one thing straight.

00:30:04You guys have elevated in each and every round.

00:30:09Truly, I am so proud of you.

00:30:12Wow.

00:30:14But there are only five spots in the finale.

00:30:19The first two bakers who have earned their spots in the grand finale are...

00:30:26Chloe and Nicky.

00:30:51Oh, my God.

00:30:59That's Rudolph.

00:31:00My daddy is bringing in the luck today.

00:31:04Unfortunately, that leaves Deirdre and Jeff.

00:31:08Only one of you will be moving on into the grand finale.

00:31:13This was a tough one.

00:31:14It was.

00:31:15The final baker, claiming their spot in the grand finale, is...

00:31:22Deirdre.

00:31:24Well done.

00:31:28Jeff, what you cooked here as a dish was exceptional.

00:31:33The big discrepancy for all three of us is that it wasn't a holiday bake.

00:31:37It's been a joy, and I hope you guys have a happy holidays.

00:31:41Likewise.

00:31:41You too.

00:31:42Well done.

00:31:43Thank you very much.

00:31:44I would have loved to have been able to bake in the final, but the other bakers I'm baking

00:31:49with are just...

00:31:49They're so talented, and so I can walk out with my head held high.

00:31:53Take care, bud.

00:31:58I look calm, quick, collected, but screaming on the inside.

00:32:02Congratulations on entering into the first ever Next Level Baker finale.

00:32:08Woo!

00:32:09Let's go!

00:32:10Honestly.

00:32:10My kids are going to lose their minds.

00:32:15Like, what do you do?

00:32:16Like, mom dance?

00:32:19Look at all these women.

00:32:20That's what I'm saying.

00:32:21Right?

00:32:21What?

00:32:23Amazing.

00:32:23You're the last man standing.

00:32:27Nikki, what would you do with $25,000 across the holidays?

00:32:30I'm going on a cruise.

00:32:32Love that.

00:32:32Okay.

00:32:33And when I get back from the cruise, I'm going on another cruise.

00:32:35Okay, that's what's up.

00:32:37All of you, head back to Lounge.

00:32:40Get your heads in the game.

00:32:42Because when you get back, you're going to be faced with the most difficult, the most daunting

00:32:47bake of your lives.

00:32:49Well done.

00:32:50Congratulations.

00:32:51Let's go.

00:32:52Let's go.

00:32:53All girls final.

00:32:56Who's surprised?

00:32:57Not me.

00:32:57Not surprised.

00:32:59I am honored to be here with these four women, and I think each one of them has their own strengths,

00:33:03and it's going to be a tough competition.

00:33:08And that's from a 60-year-old.

00:33:10Oh!

00:33:10Coming up on the Next Level Baker finale.

00:33:16Go!

00:33:17Let's go!

00:33:17You have to create a three-tiered cake.

00:33:20Each tier baked on a different level.

00:33:25That elevator is going to be busy.

00:33:27Ooh.

00:33:27Hey.

00:33:28Top floor.

00:33:28Oh, my God.

00:33:31This is really pissing me off right now.

00:33:36Your cakes are burning!

00:33:38I don't even know what floor is on fire.

00:33:40Hold your nerve.

00:33:41Come on.

00:33:42The winner of Next Level Baker is...

00:33:47Well done!

00:33:49Come on!

00:33:53Welcome back.

00:33:55Come on in.

00:33:57There she is.

00:33:57I love it.

00:33:57You got more moves.

00:33:59Love it.

00:34:00Right.

00:34:01Really well done.

00:34:02A one-in-five chance of becoming our first-ever Next Level Baker.

00:34:06Amazing.

00:34:07Deirdre, what does that mean and say to you?

00:34:09That would mean everything.

00:34:11Like, this is a childhood dream, but to win would be even more amazing.

00:34:15$25,000 would be insane to win.

00:34:19I think I would love to take some culinary classes, hone my expertise even more.

00:34:23Love that.

00:34:24Oh, Nicky.

00:34:26How are you feeling, little chocolate truck?

00:34:30I'm feeling still nervous, but amazing.

00:34:33I am the oldest person in the competition with all the youngsters.

00:34:38But I'm like, listen, girl, you have been baking all your life.

00:34:41You got this piece of cake.

00:34:44Piece of Bundt cake at that.

00:34:45Stephanie, the fact that you're not even classically trained, and you've been serving up the bakes

00:34:51that you have, I mean, we are all so impressed with you.

00:34:54Thank you so much.

00:34:56All of my formal training was watching baking shows, and being here and doing this is absolutely

00:35:02validation that I'm doing what I should be doing.

00:35:05It's just the biggest privilege to bake amongst these incredible women, and to be mentored

00:35:11by you guys.

00:35:13I can't even believe it.

00:35:14Chloe, you bake with such prowess.

00:35:17Where does that come from?

00:35:18I think my entire life has really built me up for this moment.

00:35:21I don't back down from pressure, and I'm not going to start now.

00:35:23We love that about you.

00:35:26Zoha.

00:35:27Hey.

00:35:27How are you feeling?

00:35:28Normally, I have a lot of words, but I feel like I can't English right now.

00:35:34It's just a jumble.

00:35:35I honestly don't know what to say.

00:35:37Speechless.

00:35:37Honestly, speechless.

00:35:39Well, just believe in your baking, and trust in it.

00:35:42And I'm going to say this to you, and you say, Zoha time.

00:35:45Zoha, what time is it?

00:35:47Zoha time.

00:35:48What time is it?

00:35:49Zoha time.

00:35:50That's what's up.

00:35:51Okay.

00:35:52Thank you, Carla.

00:35:54Zoha, if you do become our first ever Next Level Baker tonight, can you buy yourself a

00:35:58bloody watch?

00:36:00Candice, Carla, and myself are absolutely done with telling you how much time is left.

00:36:05We're like the talking clock that never stops.

00:36:08Honestly.

00:36:09Gosh, why are they giving me such a hard time?

00:36:11I just need the time.

00:36:13Ladies, let's get one thing straight.

00:36:14What stands between you and that title of our first ever Next Level Baker is the most intense

00:36:22finale in baking show history, let me tell you.

00:36:25Your skills and your creativity are about to be tested to the absolute limit tonight.

00:36:30For this final challenge, you all have to create a delicious three-tiered cake.

00:36:38Easy breezy, I can make a three-tiered cake.

00:36:41I'm pretty comfortable with it.

00:36:43Sounds easy, right?

00:36:44No.

00:36:45Think again.

00:36:46Because each tier must be baked on a different level.

00:36:51And it's up to you to decide where you'll make each tier.

00:37:00On top of that, each tier of your cake must feature a different flavor profile that still

00:37:09needs to feel cohesive.

00:37:11The platform will drop ingredients three times, once on each level.

00:37:16I think I just want to go for some fresh air.

00:37:20You'll all have four hours, and for the first time ever, you'll have total freedom to move

00:37:25from kitchen to kitchen as you please.

00:37:29The three of us will be moving floor to floor to keep an eye on you.

00:37:33I'm dancing.

00:37:34You want to?

00:37:35I'm just thinking, survive, survive, survive.

00:37:37Are you ready?

00:37:38Yes.

00:37:39Ready.

00:37:39Yes.

00:37:40Let's go.

00:37:40All right, get to that elevator.

00:37:41Good luck, ladies.

00:37:42Let's do it.

00:37:42Bye.

00:37:44Let's go.

00:37:46We've got this.

00:37:48That's crazy, no?

00:37:49Yeah.

00:37:49Three different levels, three different cakes, all assembled in the last 30 minutes on that

00:37:54top floor.

00:37:55For me, because the basement is a little willy-nilly and the ovens are small, I would do my top tier

00:38:01in the basement.

00:38:02A hundred percent.

00:38:03I would start my biggest tier in the basement and get that done.

00:38:07I actually think I would go middle level.

00:38:10Interesting.

00:38:10They need to make sure that that bottom layer is solid.

00:38:13That is the structure of your cake.

00:38:15I mean-

00:38:15This is going to be crazy.

00:38:17Honestly.

00:38:18Woo!

00:38:19Woo!

00:38:19Wait, let's do it.

00:38:20First time in the basement.

00:38:22Oh my God.

00:38:23I'm going into the final at a disadvantage because I've never been to the basement before.

00:38:28Oh my gosh.

00:38:29These are the cake pans you guys have?

00:38:31Oh.

00:38:34Here we go, little friend.

00:38:36Here we go.

00:38:37I've been freaked out.

00:38:38Bye.

00:38:38That old evil doll.

00:38:39But we just had to become friends because I need my good luck charm.

00:38:46I even brought her my glasses today.

00:38:49We twinning.

00:38:50Me and Tabitha.

00:38:53Hey!

00:38:54Oh my gosh.

00:38:55All right.

00:38:56Who's ready?

00:38:58Listen, all of you, come and line up across there.

00:39:00This grab is crucial.

00:39:02It is really important.

00:39:03You get everything.

00:39:04Be smart.

00:39:05Right.

00:39:05This line up, that platform is descending.

00:39:09One stunning cake.

00:39:11Three incredible layers.

00:39:13This is the most crucial platform grab ever.

00:39:16You have to figure out what ingredients might you need on the other levels.

00:39:20Big question is, who will be our first ever next level baker?

00:39:24And we all want to win.

00:39:25Obviously, I'm already losing my...

00:39:28Go!

00:39:29Let's go!

00:39:30Grab.

00:39:31All right.

00:39:31Grab, grab, grab.

00:39:32I grab molasses because I'm thinking gingerbread cake, and I'm going to need a lot of molasses.

00:39:38Panberries.

00:39:38Okay, got it, got it.

00:39:39I might as well be shopping on Black Friday.

00:39:41It is intense.

00:39:42Grab everything, guys.

00:39:44Raspberry.

00:39:45For my bottom tier, I would like to make a hummingbird cake.

00:39:49What do you mean?

00:39:50Pineapple, pineapple, pineapple.

00:39:51Pineapple is one of the key ingredients.

00:39:54Anybody see pineapple?

00:39:55I did not see it anywhere.

00:39:57I'm grabbing all these ingredients, and I'm thinking I got everything I need, and then

00:40:01I'm like, carrots, where are the carrots?

00:40:03Five seconds.

00:40:04Let's eat it.

00:40:06Ugh.

00:40:07Go, go, go.

00:40:08Extractable.

00:40:10Whew!

00:40:11Dude.

00:40:12Whew!

00:40:12Did anybody miss a vital ingredient?

00:40:15Oh.

00:40:16I'm going to need some carrots to come down next time.

00:40:19Pineapples.

00:40:19Then switch it up.

00:40:20Yeah, I needed pineapple, but I'm going to take what I have, and I'm going to make the

00:40:27other cakes first, and pray for the best on the next platform.

00:40:32Here we go.

00:40:34Your four hours start now.

00:40:36Let's go.

00:40:37Let's go.

00:40:38Hustle, hustle, hustle.

00:40:40I'm going to the top.

00:40:41I'm going to middle.

00:40:42Yeah, I'm going there as well.

00:40:43I'm going to start down here.

00:40:45Tonight will be a true test for these bakers, because you're operating three kitchens, so this

00:40:49is a tall order.

00:40:50It may sound like a long time, four hours, but I've got their work cut out, and that elevator

00:40:55is going to be busy.

00:40:57I'm going to head straight for my station.

00:41:00All right, Miss Nikki, it's you and me.

00:41:02This mixer is older than me.

00:41:05I've spent a lot of time in the basement, and so I feel pretty confident.

00:41:09I know that I'm going to do my smallest cakes in the basement.

00:41:11I love to see some smiles already, ladies.

00:41:14It's kind of peaceful in the basement.

00:41:16It is peaceful in the basement.

00:41:17Two at once.

00:41:1820 minutes gone.

00:41:19Yes.

00:41:20Put a little espresso powder in there.

00:41:22Wow.

00:41:22And the inspiration behind it.

00:41:23I just, I love Christmas.

00:41:25These are some of my favorite holiday flavors.

00:41:28For my three-tiered cake, the bottom tier is a gingerbread cake.

00:41:32It's filled with an orange diplomat cream.

00:41:35The middle tier is a cranberry orange cake filled with a cranberry compote.

00:41:39And then my top layer, I'm hoping to make a chocolate peppermint cake.

00:41:43As long as I can find some peppermint extract, but...

00:41:45Peppermint extract.

00:41:46That's the only thing you missed, right?

00:41:48Yes.

00:41:48Five minutes until the platform for the second drop hits the middle kitchen.

00:41:53I wish I could fry my cake.

00:41:56You okay?

00:41:59That would go faster.

00:42:01All right, Nikki.

00:42:02You're starting with your top tier.

00:42:05Mm-hmm.

00:42:05For my three-tier cake, I want the bottom tier to be hummingbird cake.

00:42:11The next layer in the middle tier is an amaretta liqueur, and the top layer is a raspberry liqueur cake.

00:42:18So I bet you're hoping to get some pineapple on the next ingredient grab, otherwise it's going to be time to pivot.

00:42:25I need pineapple and pecans.

00:42:26I need pineapple and pecans.

00:42:27A little southern flavor.

00:42:28Yes.

00:42:29I love it.

00:42:30Yes.

00:42:31About to get these cakes in the oven.

00:42:33We have our timer set for our cakes that are baking down here.

00:42:36We don't want to forget them.

00:42:37We won't be able to smell them.

00:42:38They are on.

00:42:39Nikki, what's the second flavor?

00:42:41I got amaretta.

00:42:42Should we do one together?

00:42:43Yeah.

00:42:44I'd love to do shots with you.

00:42:45Yeah.

00:42:46Definitely.

00:42:47If you win, I'll come on that cruise with you.

00:42:48We'll do shots together, girl.

00:42:49Me and Gordon Ramsay, we're going on a cruise.

00:42:53Headed up.

00:42:54I want you to grab.

00:42:55Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:42:56I want you to grab.

00:42:59Hey, watch my girl.

00:43:00Don't knock her down, okay?

00:43:01I'll keep an eye.

00:43:04It's like three cake ladies in an elevator together.

00:43:07Oh.

00:43:08Yes.

00:43:09The cake rock heads.

00:43:10Yes.

00:43:24Press and turn like frickin' medicine.

00:43:30God, yeah.

00:43:31Child-proofed.

00:43:32A three-tiered cake.

00:43:33This is something I've never made before.

00:43:36I've never done anything like this in my life, you know?

00:43:38It's been a dream of mine since I was eight years old

00:43:40to be on a baking competition like this,

00:43:42and it feels great to be a home chef and made it this far.

00:43:45Oh, is this your licorice cake?

00:43:47Chocolate licorice?

00:43:48Yeah, yeah.

00:43:49Bottom tiering.

00:43:50First tier my cake, I'm making a black licorice cake

00:43:53with a blackberry filling.

00:43:55For my second tier, I'm making an orange carrot cake.

00:43:58I'm hoping so bad that I can get my hands on some carrots.

00:44:01Fingers crossed for that next platform.

00:44:04For my top tier, I'm making peppermint vanilla cake

00:44:07with cranberry orange filling and cream cheese frosting.

00:44:11Have you had that combo before?

00:44:13Yeah, I've made it.

00:44:14Okay.

00:44:15Not many people love black licorice.

00:44:16I know it's a little bit risky, but in the baking world,

00:44:19one of my favorite things to do is flex the creative side of it.

00:44:22I'm trying to get enough of the licorice root flavor in here.

00:44:24Okay.

00:44:25You like it?

00:44:26Wow.

00:44:27So good.

00:44:29Oh, my goodness.

00:44:31Deirdre.

00:44:32I love Deirdre.

00:44:33She understands flavor,

00:44:35but I am hoping all the flavors work together.

00:44:39So this is a real challenge for her.

00:44:40Everybody's getting ready for this drop.

00:44:42Ready as we're gonna be.

00:44:44Stand by, guys.

00:44:45Here we go.

00:44:48Grab everything you need.

00:44:51Let's go.

00:44:52Platform's there.

00:44:55Any more pineapple.

00:44:56Any more pineapple.

00:44:57Anybody see pineapple?

00:44:58I'm just grabbing something.

00:44:59Grab something.

00:45:00Pineapple.

00:45:01Pineapple.

00:45:02Honey, what else you need?

00:45:03Pineapple.

00:45:04Look over here.

00:45:05Carrots are there.

00:45:06Yes.

00:45:07Yes.

00:45:08That's exactly what I needed.

00:45:09Does anybody see peppermint?

00:45:11I wanted to add peppermint extract into my buttercream

00:45:13for my peppermint cake.

00:45:15Does anybody see peppermint?

00:45:16Peppermint.

00:45:17I searched and searched and searched.

00:45:19I could not find it anywhere.

00:45:21Anything that's like legit peppermint.

00:45:23So I've gotta pivot.

00:45:25Did you get candy canes?

00:45:27I did.

00:45:2810 seconds.

00:45:29And I found some candy canes.

00:45:30I'm just so hopeful that I can make something out of this.

00:45:33I'll do my best.

00:45:34I don't know if I'll be able to.

00:45:36Fondant.

00:45:37Do you need fondant?

00:45:3810 seconds.

00:45:39Creak, creak, creak.

00:45:40Last grab.

00:45:41Last grab.

00:45:42I gotta go downstairs.

00:45:43Where are you going?

00:45:44Where do you want to go?

00:45:45Basement.

00:45:46OK.

00:45:47Up and down.

00:45:48Come on.

00:45:49I won't let you down.

00:45:50Let's go.

00:45:51OK.

00:45:52Oh, jeez.

00:45:53Whose are these in here?

00:45:55Because they are burning.

00:45:57Who's are they?

00:45:58Do you know?

00:45:59Well, they might be Nikki's.

00:46:00Because she's been baking down here.

00:46:01I know.

00:46:02Nikki!

00:46:03Yeah!

00:46:04Your cakes are burning!

00:46:06Oh.

00:46:07Oh, God.

00:46:08I forgot.

00:46:09Nikki!

00:46:10Come in!

00:46:11I don't even know what floor is on fire.

00:46:12Get down here!

00:46:13Come in!

00:46:14Please!

00:46:15She's coming!

00:46:16Coming down!

00:46:17Come on, Nikki!

00:46:18Oh, my God.

00:46:19Nikki!

00:46:20Your cakes are burning!

00:46:21Oh, my God.

00:46:22My cakes are on fire.

00:46:23Oh, my God.

00:46:24Who signed me up for this?

00:46:25Cake.

00:46:26Gods.

00:46:27Shine on that cake.

00:46:28Tabitha, please, please.

00:46:29Come on.

00:46:30Good serve.

00:46:31You got it, girl.

00:46:32Go get them.

00:46:33Please.

00:46:34Put the timer down.

00:46:35Let's go.

00:46:36Well done.

00:46:37Look.

00:46:38That's fine.

00:46:39Take them out.

00:46:40We'll get them cool.

00:46:41Yes?

00:46:42Let's get them out.

00:46:43Got to be on it.

00:46:44Thank God.

00:46:45That's fine.

00:46:46Take them out.

00:46:47We'll get them cool.

00:46:48Yes?

00:46:49Let's get them out.

00:46:50Got to be on it.

00:46:51Thank God that Gordon Ramsay did tell me they were on fire because, whew, that could have

00:46:56been bad.

00:46:57You okay?

00:46:58Yes.

00:46:59Just get them out there quickly.

00:47:00Okay.

00:47:01And get them cool down, yes?

00:47:02Yes.

00:47:03Okay?

00:47:04Okay.

00:47:05And then you decide whether or not you do them again.

00:47:06Did you just forget about them?

00:47:07No.

00:47:08The timer just went off.

00:47:09Right.

00:47:10They didn't look burned.

00:47:11I think because they were raspberry, so they were already a darker color.

00:47:16At least they're fine, right?

00:47:18Yes.

00:47:19He saved the day because I could not have started over.

00:47:24Oh, my Lord.

00:47:27Jeez, what's she doing here?

00:47:29That's Tabitha.

00:47:30That's Tabitha.

00:47:31Tabitha.

00:47:32Yeah.

00:47:33That's my girl.

00:47:34She magical.

00:47:35Tabitha was letting me know, I got you, girl.

00:47:40Hi, sweetie.

00:47:41She's got eyes on the cake.

00:47:44How long for the other sponges on the middle floor and the top floor?

00:47:48I haven't got them in the oven yet.

00:47:49Yeah.

00:47:50Let's go.

00:47:51Here we go.

00:47:52Straight up to the top floor.

00:47:54Get that sponge in, please.

00:47:55Yes.

00:47:56Just over three hours left.

00:47:58Zoha, what tier are you making right now?

00:48:01I'm making my base tier, the largest tier.

00:48:03Okay.

00:48:04I am making a three-tiered cake representing the colors and beautiful flavors of Pakistani

00:48:09food.

00:48:10My bottom tier is a pistachio kulfi cake with a raspberry compound through it.

00:48:14The middle tier is a maple pecan cake, and my top tier is a gulab jam and flavored cake

00:48:19with cardamom and rose water.

00:48:21Sounds amazing.

00:48:22I feel like I'm already far behind.

00:48:24The brain is not braining right now.

00:48:26Yeah, it kind of feels like some screws are not in place.

00:48:29Oh, I didn't put my frickin' parchment paper in there.

00:48:32This is multitasking on a whole other level.

00:48:35Cool, calm, collected.

00:48:37That's the mantra for today.

00:48:39Just be cool, calm, and collected.

00:48:43I can't lose it.

00:48:45Oh, I'm running to the middle.

00:48:48I had to split my brain into 30 pieces.

00:48:51Holy.

00:48:52There's different buttercreams, there's different flavors, and then I'm going to need time to

00:48:57make sure that my cake looks good.

00:48:59Hey, do you have baking powder and salt up here?

00:49:01I haven't even started, no.

00:49:03Is anyone actually calm right now?

00:49:04Stephanie, what's going on here?

00:49:07So here I'm doing a cranberry orange cake, and then I'll have a cranberry compote in between

00:49:12the layers.

00:49:13You're loving the cranberries today.

00:49:14So my daughter Elle is 10, and she loves sugared cranberries.

00:49:19She eats them by the handful.

00:49:20It's a little ode to her.

00:49:21Oh, that's so sweet.

00:49:22Yeah.

00:49:23Kind of a sophisticated palate.

00:49:24Those can be tart.

00:49:25Yeah.

00:49:26Cranberries and sushi.

00:49:27That's my girl.

00:49:28I've got kids that like sushi, too.

00:49:29That's an expensive habit.

00:49:30Yes, it is.

00:49:31So I'm a mom of four.

00:49:33We had twins first, Landon and Hudson.

00:49:36And a couple of years later, we decided to adopt our daughter Elle from China.

00:49:40And then fast forward many, many, many years later, we felt drawn towards foster care, and

00:49:46we were replaced with this precious baby boy.

00:49:49And so we were able to adopt him right before Christmas last year.

00:49:53Wow.

00:49:54That's amazing.

00:49:55You have your hands full.

00:49:56One of my sons, he goes, Mom, you've got to bake your butt off today.

00:50:00He also was like, have you cursed?

00:50:02That's what he wanted to know.

00:50:03Have you cursed?

00:50:04I tried really hard not to.

00:50:06We'll leave the cursing to Gordon.

00:50:07Now, come on.

00:50:08I'm the man.

00:50:09Let's go, girl.

00:50:10Damn it.

00:50:11I need more fatter.

00:50:12The gang face is real Chloe.

00:50:15What's your flavor?

00:50:17So I'm working with a gingerbread cake.

00:50:19For my bottom tier, I'm going to be baking my gingerbread cake.

00:50:23My middle tier, I'm going to be making my pecan spice cake.

00:50:27For my top tier, I'm going to be baking my orange zest cake with cranberry compote.

00:50:32And we're going to do some snickerdoodle buttercream.

00:50:35You better shut your face.

00:50:37Yes!

00:50:38Snickerdoodle buttercream!

00:50:39Oh, my God.

00:50:40I have made this gingerbread cake a thousand times.

00:50:44But you take however much time you want.

00:50:46You know?

00:50:47And maybe even, wild thought, one kitchen.

00:50:50So let's just get this in the oven!

00:50:54We're good.

00:50:59Do you know where teaspoons are in here?

00:51:01Do you know where teaspoons are in here?

00:51:02Moving between all of these levels is really, really affecting my timing in getting this cake put together.

00:51:08If you guys know where teaspoons are, I can't find teaspoons anywhere.

00:51:11Can you see them?

00:51:12Okay, okay, I heard you!

00:51:13Top kitchen, please.

00:51:17I'm coming!

00:51:18Every single bit of my energy is going into getting in and out of the elevator.

00:51:22Down, down, down.

00:51:23Come on.

00:51:24Basement, basement.

00:51:25Basement!

00:51:26Top floor, please.

00:51:27Basement!

00:51:28Basement!

00:51:29I don't think I've screamed at a piece of equipment more in my life.

00:51:31Basement!

00:51:34Oh, my God.

00:51:35This is absolutely wild.

00:51:36I'll be surprised if I have a game to present at the end of this.

00:51:41Oh, oh.

00:51:42This is insane from floor to floor, man.

00:51:44Teaspoons.

00:51:45Whew.

00:51:46Dang.

00:51:47Top floor, please.

00:51:48Shoes, please, on three.

00:51:49This is a marathon.

00:51:50A really sticky, sugary marathon.

00:51:53Hold the elevator!

00:51:54I think I've probably run at least 20,000 steps by now.

00:51:55Top floor!

00:51:56I hit the challenge!

00:51:57Finally found some.

00:51:58Shut up!

00:51:59Shut up!

00:52:00Shut up!

00:52:01Shut up!

00:52:02Shut up!

00:52:03Shut up!

00:52:04Shut up!

00:52:05Shut up!

00:52:06Up!

00:52:07Up!

00:52:08Up!

00:52:09Up!

00:52:10Up!

00:52:11Up!

00:52:12Up!

00:52:13Go!

00:52:14Go!

00:52:15Go!

00:52:16Go!

00:52:17Go!

00:52:18Go!

00:52:19Go!

00:52:20Go!

00:52:21Go!

00:52:22Go!

00:52:23Okay!

00:52:31If you leave your oven doors open, any baker knows you will effectively ruin your bake.

00:52:36One minute.

00:52:37Come on.

00:52:38That's probably the worst thing that could happen.

00:52:41Chlo-e, how's it going?

00:52:43We're doing great.

00:52:44You know, honestly, I don't know what everyone's panicking about.

00:52:47Yeah!

00:52:48Literally right!

00:52:49Cool as a cucumber!

00:52:50Yes!

00:52:51I did so many things right up to this point.

00:52:55This cannot be the thing that brings me down.

00:52:58Ow, ow, ow.

00:53:00Please be good. Please be good. Please be good.

00:53:02Come on.

00:53:07Is that under?

00:53:12It is not fully baked.

00:53:14I would love for this cake to be salvageable, but it is not.

00:53:21I might be redoing this cake.

00:53:30Please be good. Please be good. Please be good. Come on.

00:53:36It's pretty easy to see that this is dark on the outside

00:53:39and completely not baked in the middle.

00:53:42Oh, you're getting baked?

00:53:45I'm going to have to start from scratch.

00:53:46Damn, damn, damn, damn.

00:53:49I know.

00:53:49It was fate, you guys.

00:53:53You're remaking your ginger cake.

00:53:54Yes, and this time we're going to do sheet pan.

00:53:55And it'll be super fast.

00:53:57I think the sheet pan strategy is going to be brilliant.

00:54:00And I think the second time around,

00:54:01I'm going to be prouder of the taste anyways,

00:54:02because who gets to taste test their cake already?

00:54:06So let's just get this in the oven.

00:54:08Let's get this going.

00:54:09This should be fine.

00:54:11This should be fine.

00:54:12Maybe it's not the best thing to go to the basement

00:54:19for the first time in your last challenge,

00:54:22but I have to make my top cake.

00:54:24I hate this.

00:54:25Just try to have fun.

00:54:26My top tier is a gulap jamun flavored cake

00:54:29with cardamom and rose water.

00:54:30The gulap jamun is a South Asian sweet.

00:54:34It's okay, you're right.

00:54:34We're having fun.

00:54:35This is fun.

00:54:35Yes, yes, yes.

00:54:36Someone's oh-ha.

00:54:37LOL.

00:54:38I should have rose right here.

00:54:42I mean, for us,

00:54:43the biggest holiday in Pakistan is Eid.

00:54:45And my mom or my grandmom

00:54:46does not sleep at all

00:54:47because they're making the Pakistani sweets.

00:54:50So this is for them.

00:54:55Oh my God.

00:55:00Did it spill?

00:55:01Yeah.

00:55:02The top came off, didn't it?

00:55:03Did that happen to you before?

00:55:05Down here too.

00:55:05Damn the basement.

00:55:09Everything's okay.

00:55:10Don't worry about it.

00:55:11It's okay.

00:55:14Well, let's go.

00:55:15Ladies, halfway.

00:55:16Half way.

00:55:18Whose are these cakes here?

00:55:20Whose are these?

00:55:24Deirdre!

00:55:25Oh, shoot.

00:55:26Top floor to basement.

00:55:27Deirdre!

00:55:28Oh, yeah.

00:55:28That's me.

00:55:29Top floor.

00:55:30Cakes are ready.

00:55:31Deirdre's coming.

00:55:32Oh my gosh.

00:55:33I need to make sure

00:55:34these carrot cakes

00:55:35are delicious and amazing.

00:55:36I cannot have anything burn right now.

00:55:42All right.

00:55:45One at the back is ready.

00:55:46That one looks a little bit runny.

00:55:48It's so awesome

00:55:49to work with Chef Ramsay

00:55:50because he so effortlessly

00:55:51knows everything.

00:55:53See what I'm saying?

00:55:53Touch.

00:55:54They're ready.

00:55:54That top one isn't.

00:55:55He just saved my carrot cake.

00:55:57This is the best cake I make.

00:55:59Oh, I'm so relieved.

00:56:00Chloe, what are you working on?

00:56:04I'm working on my spiced fecan cake.

00:56:06I have to get back on track.

00:56:08You can't stand around going,

00:56:10maybe I'll, maybe I'll move.

00:56:12Let's taste that.

00:56:13All right.

00:56:14Chloe, that is your yummy face.

00:56:16It's so good.

00:56:18Oh my gosh.

00:56:19I needed it kind of nutty

00:56:20because there's going to be

00:56:21a caramel filling.

00:56:25This is delicious.

00:56:26And you had toasted the nuts,

00:56:28didn't you?

00:56:28It makes all the difference

00:56:29in the world.

00:56:30It does.

00:56:30The nuts will not caramelize

00:56:31inside the batter.

00:56:32No, they just kind of

00:56:33get more waxy.

00:56:34Yes, they get waxy.

00:56:35It tastes like fingernails.

00:56:36It's gross.

00:56:37I'm going to get you

00:56:38in the oven, baby.

00:56:39Which tier is this,

00:56:39the top or the middle?

00:56:40Ah, this is the middle.

00:56:41All right.

00:56:43Middle.

00:56:43An hour and 50 minutes left.

00:56:46Now we're going

00:56:47for the middle tier now,

00:56:48right?

00:56:48Yes, yes.

00:56:49The left-hand side.

00:56:51I'm like,

00:56:51God, stop the clock.

00:56:53Just stop the clock.

00:56:54Uh, I can't think.

00:56:57I can't think.

00:56:58I can't think.

00:56:58A mixer.

00:56:59I need a mixer.

00:56:59I'm just trying to think

00:57:01of all three different

00:57:03flavored cakes

00:57:04that we have to do.

00:57:05I need a mixer.

00:57:07And now my head

00:57:08is so gone.

00:57:11And Nicky's way behind.

00:57:13Nicky's way behind.

00:57:13Way, way behind.

00:57:14Nicky.

00:57:15Yes.

00:57:16Next step,

00:57:16straight in the oven

00:57:17without sponge.

00:57:18Then we can breathe.

00:57:19No, there ain't no breathing.

00:57:21This is the craziest thing

00:57:24I have experienced.

00:57:26Okay.

00:57:26This oven,

00:57:27with your oven on.

00:57:28Good girl.

00:57:29Why did I do this?

00:57:30We've got two in.

00:57:31I want you to think

00:57:32about your top tier now.

00:57:34Okay, yeah,

00:57:34I'm going to be fine.

00:57:36Oh, I know.

00:57:36I remember.

00:57:37So I'm Nicky J,

00:57:38and I'm Next Level Baker.

00:57:41Chloe,

00:57:42what's going on

00:57:43with your cake

00:57:44that is in the oven

00:57:45right now

00:57:45that appears to be...

00:57:46It's looking good.

00:57:47Oh, my God.

00:57:48This is amazing.

00:57:53This is going so swimmingly.

00:57:54I'm pretty fed up.

00:57:55I'm pretty frustrated

00:57:56with myself.

00:57:57Wish this was martini.

00:57:59You good?

00:57:59Is that out?

00:58:00No, the cake

00:58:01is doing something.

00:58:02I don't know

00:58:02what it's doing.

00:58:03It's not good.

00:58:04What happened?

00:58:04That oven.

00:58:05Did you put bicarbon

00:58:06down with baking soda?

00:58:07I mean, yeah.

00:58:08The amount I should.

00:58:09I think the amount

00:58:10I should.

00:58:10I mean...

00:58:11I likely moved

00:58:13too fast

00:58:14and used baking soda

00:58:16instead of baking powder.

00:58:17and it's going

00:58:18to burn on the edges

00:58:19and stay soup

00:58:20in the middle.

00:58:21I don't know

00:58:22that this is going to bake.

00:58:23I don't know

00:58:23what's happening to it.

00:58:24Am I seriously

00:58:25going to have

00:58:26to make this cake

00:58:27a third time?

00:58:31It's not good.

00:58:31Just, just...

00:58:32What are my recipes?

00:58:34You get this.

00:58:35You know that.

00:58:35My gingerbread cake

00:58:36is somehow worse

00:58:38than the first time

00:58:39that I made it.

00:58:40I have to start

00:58:41from scratch.

00:58:42So, I make it again.

00:58:43I am going to use

00:58:44brown sugar

00:58:45because I don't have molasses.

00:58:46There you go.

00:58:47Don't stick

00:58:47to a problem.

00:58:48Pivot and we'll

00:58:48just change up.

00:58:49I don't have time

00:58:50for this.

00:58:51I don't have any time

00:58:52for this.

00:58:53That is annoying.

00:58:54What happened to that?

00:58:55I honestly can't tell you.

00:58:57And, like, believe me,

00:58:59this kind of thing

00:59:00can break you.

00:59:01You're not giving up.

00:59:03But I promised my mom

00:59:05and I promised

00:59:06my little sister

00:59:07that, like,

00:59:07I was going to bake

00:59:08her life extraordinary

00:59:10at all costs.

00:59:12We're going to get there.

00:59:13If I win,

00:59:14next-level baker

00:59:15is, like,

00:59:16everything I ever lost

00:59:17and everything

00:59:18I overcame,

00:59:19finally,

00:59:19it was for something.

00:59:21Oh, let's use

00:59:22a different oven.

00:59:23New cake, new oven.

00:59:24New cake, new oven.

00:59:26What the hell?

00:59:27It is bad

00:59:28in this basement,

00:59:29but I see

00:59:30some stockings.

00:59:32Those stockings

00:59:32had to be

00:59:33about 50 years old, too.

00:59:34I know nobody else

00:59:38would be excited

00:59:39about a stocking.

00:59:42Oh, Nikki,

00:59:43it's just me and you, babe.

00:59:45And Tabitha,

00:59:46don't disrespect me.

00:59:47Sorry, Tabitha,

00:59:47I see you.

00:59:49Okay, I got to roll

00:59:50my fondant out here.

00:59:51I found something

00:59:52down here.

00:59:53Tabitha, show me

00:59:54where something was.

00:59:55Yeah.

00:59:56Wait, you're putting

00:59:56on some stockings?

00:59:57No.

00:59:57What's happening?

00:59:58Long story.

00:59:59Okay.

00:59:59Oh, is this a tip?

01:00:01Okay.

01:00:02I need cornstarch.

01:00:04Please don't leave

01:00:04those pantyhose

01:00:05on at the kitchen table.

01:00:07I put the cornstarch

01:00:10in the stocking

01:00:11to control

01:00:12how much

01:00:13I apply

01:00:14to the fondant.

01:00:16So, your decor,

01:00:17is it all fondant?

01:00:19Yeah.

01:00:19All right,

01:00:19make it nice and thin

01:00:20because...

01:00:21I know.

01:00:21Yeah.

01:00:22Can't be too heavy.

01:00:24You look at me like,

01:00:25yeah, I know, Carla.

01:00:25I do this all the time.

01:00:27I've been making cakes

01:00:29out of fondant

01:00:30for at least 13 years.

01:00:33I'm used to that sheeter,

01:00:34but we're gonna do it.

01:00:35You are the sheeter.

01:00:36Yeah, I see.

01:00:37But not in these conditions.

01:00:41How am I doing, Tabitha?

01:00:44Yeah, I know.

01:00:45This is super challenging.

01:00:47You can use this as a guide

01:00:49so that this is...

01:00:51It's all even.

01:00:52Yes.

01:00:52I love teaching.

01:00:53I love watching someone grow.

01:00:55I used to do a lot

01:00:56of cooking classes

01:00:57and I feel like

01:00:59this experience

01:01:00sort of feels like that,

01:01:02but there's more at stake.

01:01:05Yes.

01:01:06Yes.

01:01:06That's so much nicer.

01:01:07Oh, my God.

01:01:08Yes.

01:01:09All right, Stephanie.

01:01:10I'm hoping to do

01:01:11kind of like

01:01:11a peppermint filling.

01:01:12I didn't find any

01:01:13peppermint extract,

01:01:14but I've got candy canes.

01:01:15Okay.

01:01:15So I'm gonna work

01:01:15with what I've got.

01:01:16Yeah.

01:01:16Just to give it

01:01:16a little holiday flavor.

01:01:18You can make

01:01:18a simple syrup

01:01:19out of a candy canes.

01:01:20Yes, I love that.

01:01:21So I'm making

01:01:22a simple syrup

01:01:23out of these candy canes.

01:01:24They're not melting great

01:01:25and honestly,

01:01:26there's not that much

01:01:27peppermint to it.

01:01:28Get this and just

01:01:29get a mallet

01:01:30and just like

01:01:30freaking smash it.

01:01:32Yeah, I want to save

01:01:32that one so that I get

01:01:33it in my buttercream.

01:01:35I think one more minute

01:01:36and this will be...

01:01:36Yeah, good.

01:01:37This will be ready.

01:01:38Simple syrup goes

01:01:39a long way.

01:01:40Perhaps.

01:01:40I don't know.

01:01:41I'm a little bit worried

01:01:42about the peppermint

01:01:43not punching through enough.

01:01:44So much pressure.

01:01:46You're both trailblazers

01:01:47and you both want

01:01:48to be that first ever

01:01:49next level baker.

01:01:52Two and a half hours down,

01:01:5490 minutes left.

01:01:56Five minute warning

01:01:57for the final drop

01:01:58on the top floor.

01:02:00This is to help you

01:02:02decorate your cakes

01:02:02and make them beautiful.

01:02:04We're all headed

01:02:04to the top floor.

01:02:05Top floor.

01:02:06Let's go.

01:02:08Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

01:02:09Oh, my God.

01:02:11Oh, my God.

01:02:13How's it going?

01:02:13Dance party?

01:02:14Yeah, yeah.

01:02:15Anybody?

01:02:15Oh, my God.

01:02:17All right, get back there.

01:02:19Let's go.

01:02:19Get your stations clear.

01:02:21Don't forget,

01:02:22the platform's going

01:02:22to be here any moment.

01:02:23Guys, the platform's

01:02:24on the move.

01:02:25Final grab.

01:02:26Here we go.

01:02:27Grab your decorations.

01:02:30Oh.

01:02:32What is that?

01:02:33What do you need?

01:02:34They're shredded coconut.

01:02:36I'm looking for coconut shavings

01:02:38to actually give a snowy effect.

01:02:40These need to look gorgeous.

01:02:42Because the top is supposed

01:02:44to be, like, white.

01:02:45Like, you've made it up

01:02:46to the North Pole,

01:02:47and it's Christmassy

01:02:48and snowy.

01:02:50But the only thing

01:02:51I see on the platform

01:02:52are little tiny marshmallows.

01:02:54Oh, this is great.

01:02:55Dazzling cakes

01:02:56that wow us.

01:02:57Ten seconds, guys.

01:02:59Jelly beans.

01:03:00Where the jelly beans?

01:03:01Somebody got them?

01:03:02All I want

01:03:03is Santa

01:03:04at the top

01:03:04of the cake.

01:03:05Okay.

01:03:06Santa made

01:03:07the wish come true.

01:03:08Oh,

01:03:09with them jelly beans.

01:03:10With them jelly beans.

01:03:11There you go.

01:03:13This is the biggest wrap

01:03:14Nicky has ever had

01:03:15in life.

01:03:16Oh, wow.

01:03:18Good luck.

01:03:19Let's go.

01:03:19Thank you, chef.

01:03:20One more.

01:03:20Basement.

01:03:22Let's go.

01:03:23I'm just ready to go.

01:03:25Come here, you.

01:03:25Come here.

01:03:26Come on, come on.

01:03:26You okay?

01:03:27You've done the hardest part.

01:03:28Now it's just bringing it harder.

01:03:30I still had to ice

01:03:30the other cakes.

01:03:32That's half an hour

01:03:33for a cake.

01:03:34Think about that.

01:03:34Okay?

01:03:35And think about the cruise.

01:03:37Okay.

01:03:41Yes.

01:03:42Yes.

01:03:43Oh, God.

01:03:43Thank God.

01:03:46This is,

01:03:47for a fact,

01:03:48a Christmas miracle.

01:03:49This cake

01:03:49has finally baked

01:03:50after the third try.

01:03:52So,

01:03:53I'm incredibly grateful

01:03:54for that.

01:03:56Yes!

01:04:03I don't want

01:04:03to stress you out,

01:04:04but we have

01:04:05one hour left.

01:04:07one hour

01:04:08to assemble

01:04:09your three tiers,

01:04:10decorate,

01:04:11impress us,

01:04:12and you know

01:04:13that all finishes up

01:04:14on the top level.

01:04:16You said you didn't

01:04:16want to stress us?

01:04:17Ugh!

01:04:18Diamond's not

01:04:19my friend today.

01:04:20Okay, well,

01:04:20my cakes are

01:04:21kind of broken,

01:04:22so this is going

01:04:24to be a challenge.

01:04:25These cake pans

01:04:26down in the basement

01:04:27are really,

01:04:27really bad.

01:04:29My cakes are broken,

01:04:30so I hope

01:04:30I can somehow

01:04:31redeem this.

01:04:32When your cake

01:04:32starts to break,

01:04:33if you're trying to

01:04:34frost it,

01:04:34that's where

01:04:35your tiered cake

01:04:36can start falling over.

01:04:38They're all breaking.

01:04:38What do I do?

01:04:39You can't do it over.

01:04:40I see that it's crumbling,

01:04:42and there's really

01:04:42nothing else to do.

01:04:43She doesn't have time.

01:04:45Father Tom has

01:04:45left the building.

01:04:49They're so broken.

01:04:50I mean,

01:04:51do you want to

01:04:51chill them?

01:04:52That way you can

01:04:52cut it easier?

01:04:54I don't know

01:04:54if I have any time,

01:04:55Karla.

01:04:56You have 55 minutes.

01:04:58I mean,

01:04:58that's really

01:04:59not a lot of time.

01:05:00Yeah.

01:05:00There's still a lot

01:05:01to get done

01:05:02on each level

01:05:03of the kitchen.

01:05:03Some buttercreams

01:05:04need to be chilled,

01:05:05some frostings

01:05:05need to be made,

01:05:06some fillings

01:05:07need to be made.

01:05:07Oh, gosh,

01:05:08what a mess.

01:05:09I can't redo this.

01:05:11I'm going to have

01:05:11to use my frosting

01:05:12as a glue

01:05:13and just try to

01:05:14stick it together

01:05:14as best as I can.

01:05:16Let me get,

01:05:16like, a crumb coat

01:05:17on here,

01:05:18and then, like,

01:05:18put it in the blast chiller,

01:05:19and I think

01:05:20it might redeem itself.

01:05:22This is going to

01:05:22come down

01:05:23to the last minute,

01:05:25and it's time

01:05:26to lock in.

01:05:28Okay, I'm going

01:05:29back to the middle.

01:05:30Great.

01:05:30Thank you, Karla.

01:05:31Back to the middle.

01:05:32Zoha's going

01:05:33to the middle.

01:05:34All right, Chloe,

01:05:34remind me

01:05:35what you're working on now.

01:05:36I'm working on my top tier.

01:05:37I just need to assemble it

01:05:38and get it upstairs with me.

01:05:39Okay.

01:05:40You've had to have

01:05:40some redos.

01:05:41Yes.

01:05:42How are you feeling?

01:05:42I'm feeling like

01:05:43if I get a cake up

01:05:44at this point,

01:05:45we're winning.

01:05:46This is your comeback.

01:05:47This is...

01:05:48When it comes

01:05:49to my top tier,

01:05:50my orange cake,

01:05:51it's looking good.

01:05:52Chloe,

01:05:53show that cake

01:05:54who's boss.

01:05:54Show that cake

01:05:55who's boss, right?

01:05:55Okay.

01:05:56Okay.

01:05:57It's fluffy.

01:05:58It's zesty.

01:05:59It's, like,

01:05:59really, really bouncy,

01:06:00but the crumb is good.

01:06:01I'm thrilled.

01:06:02Your sister's going

01:06:03to be so proud of you.

01:06:04Charlotte's going

01:06:05to be like,

01:06:05you rock!

01:06:06I am so incredibly impressed

01:06:09with these bakers.

01:06:1050 minutes left.

01:06:12There is the time crunch.

01:06:14There is the pressure.

01:06:15When we see

01:06:17what they've made,

01:06:18all right,

01:06:18your cake is leaving

01:06:19the basement.

01:06:21It's really impressive.

01:06:23Oh, that's so nice.

01:06:24So what is this design?

01:06:26I'm trying to do

01:06:27a henna design.

01:06:28Yes!

01:06:29That is so hard, Carla.

01:06:30I would love

01:06:31to represent Eid,

01:06:32which is a Muslim holiday.

01:06:34The night before Eid,

01:06:35all the girls

01:06:35get henna on their hands

01:06:37and it looks so beautiful.

01:06:38That means a lot.

01:06:38I don't normally

01:06:39do a lot of Pakistani baking,

01:06:41but I figured

01:06:42now is the time to do it.

01:06:43Yes!

01:06:44I'm always scared

01:06:44to get my hopes up high,

01:06:45but it would mean

01:06:46the absolute world to win.

01:06:49I'm going to try it.

01:06:50I'm going to try my best.

01:06:5145 minutes to go.

01:06:52Oh, my goodness.

01:06:54This is really

01:06:54pissing me off right now.

01:06:55You're fine.

01:06:56The marshmallow top

01:06:57is so bad.

01:06:58You know,

01:06:58I wanted to have

01:06:59coconut shavings instead.

01:07:00This snowy masterpiece

01:07:01that I imagined

01:07:02is turning into a snowstorm.

01:07:07Hi, Theirdra.

01:07:08Hi.

01:07:09How are you?

01:07:10Not great.

01:07:11Okay.

01:07:11Okay, well, same.

01:07:12Same.

01:07:13Nobody's feeling great

01:07:13right now, by the way.

01:07:17I am not.

01:07:19You good, Nikki?

01:07:20No, I'm not.

01:07:22It's too much

01:07:22to cover three cakes

01:07:24and fondant.

01:07:25Anybody seen

01:07:25a fondant smolder?

01:07:27Y'all doing buttercream.

01:07:2830 minutes?

01:07:29We need to finish these.

01:07:30The clock is ticking.

01:07:31The clock is ticking.

01:07:33Damn.

01:07:33All I'm trying to do

01:07:35is make sure

01:07:36I've got

01:07:37the fondant

01:07:38on this cake.

01:07:39I should have done

01:07:40something buttercream.

01:07:41How are you looking, Nikki?

01:07:42Terrible.

01:07:43But I got faith.

01:07:44Yeah.

01:07:45It's okay.

01:07:46I got this.

01:07:47I hope this cake is okay.

01:07:51Hi, Zoa.

01:07:52Hi.

01:07:54What a day, man.

01:07:55Yeah.

01:07:56Pretty awesome.

01:07:57Pretty awesome.

01:07:58I cannot believe

01:07:59we've done this.

01:07:59I'm so proud.

01:08:00All these girls.

01:08:02Nearly there.

01:08:02We're fine.

01:08:03It's gonna be tight

01:08:03and the rest of it

01:08:04in the finishing

01:08:04can do upstairs, yes?

01:08:05Okay, yeah.

01:08:06Here we go.

01:08:07Elevator, please.

01:08:08Top floor.

01:08:10I can't believe

01:08:11that it's all over.

01:08:13This all started

01:08:14from my little kitchen

01:08:15at home.

01:08:16And when I opened

01:08:16a bakery,

01:08:17like, people thought

01:08:18I was crazy.

01:08:19Hold your nerve.

01:08:20Come on.

01:08:20And so to be here now

01:08:22in the finale

01:08:23of Next Level Baker,

01:08:25it's incredible.

01:08:26Let's go.

01:08:27Good.

01:08:27Look at that.

01:08:28Guys, you've got

01:08:2825 minutes to go, okay?

01:08:30The baker who pulls it off

01:08:32will be walking away

01:08:33with $25,000.

01:08:35That looked beautiful.

01:08:39Nikki, that looks great.

01:08:41There's so much color.

01:08:42Oh, my goodness.

01:08:42There's so much.

01:08:43And there's a lot of texture.

01:08:44I want this to be pretty.

01:08:4615 minutes to go, yes?

01:08:47Come on, ladies.

01:08:48Finish strong.

01:08:49Oh, come on, come on, come on.

01:08:50Visually, I'm going to get

01:08:52flamed on the internet

01:08:53for this.

01:08:53See what's going to happen.

01:08:55Fix it, fix it, fix it.

01:08:56But at this point,

01:08:57this is about getting

01:08:58a cake on platform

01:08:59at all.

01:09:00And hopefully,

01:09:01the flavors shine.

01:09:04Chloe, you have a cake!

01:09:06Let's go.

01:09:06I have a cake.

01:09:08Well done, Chloe.

01:09:09Ten minutes to go.

01:09:11I want this

01:09:12to look better.

01:09:13There's a lot of texture

01:09:14on Deirdre's.

01:09:16My family would look

01:09:16at that cake

01:09:17and be like,

01:09:18she didn't make that.

01:09:18Because they've never

01:09:19seen me put together

01:09:21a teared cake like that.

01:09:22I'm so scared

01:09:23to put it together.

01:09:24There you go.

01:09:25Well done.

01:09:26Yes.

01:09:26Well done.

01:09:29You got this, Nikki.

01:09:30You're amazing.

01:09:31We all got this, girl.

01:09:32Yeah.

01:09:33Yes.

01:09:33So, I'll call.

01:09:34Bring it home.

01:09:34Let's go.

01:09:35I'm going to try

01:09:35to make some form

01:09:36of stripes

01:09:36to make it look like bangles.

01:09:38So, I'm just piping around.

01:09:40Piping, piping, piping,

01:09:41switching back, piping,

01:09:42switching back, piping,

01:09:43switching back, piping.

01:09:44Oh, my gosh.

01:09:46But again, time

01:09:47is not my friend.

01:09:49Three minutes to go.

01:09:50Final three.

01:09:51Come on.

01:09:53Oh, my goodness me.

01:09:54These last 30 minutes

01:09:56have been insane.

01:09:58I mean, insane.

01:09:58This is a nail-biter.

01:10:00Honestly, incredible.

01:10:01They are just so focused

01:10:02and concentrated.

01:10:04Every second counts.

01:10:05Unbelievable.

01:10:06And somebody's going home

01:10:07the winner tonight.

01:10:08Make it dazzle.

01:10:09Make it sparkle.

01:10:11You guys want to be

01:10:12the next-level baker.

01:10:13It is your time to shine.

01:10:15Platform's moving.

01:10:16Here comes the platform.

01:10:1830 seconds to go.

01:10:19Come on.

01:10:20Get that chocolate on.

01:10:21Everyone has a completed cake.

01:10:24I am so proud of you all.

01:10:25I can understand it.

01:10:2715 seconds to go.

01:10:28Come on.

01:10:29Please be careful

01:10:30when you put your cakes

01:10:31on the platform.

01:10:34Platform is arriving.

01:10:36Can't watch.

01:10:39I've never picked up

01:10:39a three-tier cake before.

01:10:40I was so scared even to

01:10:42get it to this platform

01:10:43without falling over

01:10:43and it's wobbling.

01:10:44That's probably

01:10:45one of my worst fears

01:10:46is dropping a cake.

01:10:49Ten seconds to go.

01:10:51Go up.

01:10:51Stephanie, you're going

01:10:52to have to go up top.

01:10:53How am I going to put my cake

01:10:54on the second level?

01:10:56Oh, I don't know this.

01:10:57I can lift on the top.

01:10:59Let's go.

01:10:59Eight, seven, six, five, four,

01:11:04three, two, one.

01:11:08Oh, oh.

01:11:09Go, go, go.

01:11:17Stephanie, you're going

01:11:18to have to go up top.

01:11:19Be careful.

01:11:21Be careful.

01:11:21Two, one.

01:11:22Oh, oh.

01:11:26Oh, my God.

01:11:32I did it.

01:11:33I got it on the platform

01:11:34and I'm really, really,

01:11:36really proud of myself

01:11:36for that.

01:11:38Y'all, dude,

01:11:40what's that face doing, girl?

01:11:41I'm extremely proud of myself,

01:11:43but I feel like I had just

01:11:45been run over by a truck

01:11:47and the truck backed up

01:11:49to make sure I was dead

01:11:50and ran over me again.

01:11:52Oh, my gosh.

01:11:54Wow.

01:12:10What a bake.

01:12:12You five have created holiday magic.

01:12:15It's been a frantic four hours,

01:12:17but my goodness me,

01:12:18this looks stunning.

01:12:20This was indeed

01:12:22the toughest test

01:12:22in bacon history

01:12:24and you've all accomplished

01:12:25an incredible feat.

01:12:26Well done.

01:12:28Right, ladies,

01:12:29ready to taste?

01:12:29Ready to taste.

01:12:30Oh, yeah.

01:12:31All right,

01:12:31our first cake

01:12:32is Zoha's cardamom,

01:12:34maple,

01:12:35and pistachio.

01:12:36I just love

01:12:37what you've done

01:12:38tempering that chocolate.

01:12:39It looks stunning.

01:12:40It's so festive.

01:12:41It's so distinctive.

01:12:43This is a cultural celebration.

01:12:45I love it.

01:12:46All we have to do now

01:12:47is taste it.

01:12:47All right,

01:12:49we're going to get into it.

01:12:58Well, I think the flavors

01:13:00are really complex

01:13:01and well-balanced.

01:13:03There's so much depth here

01:13:04and I was delighted

01:13:05by the texture

01:13:06in the bottom layer.

01:13:08Pistachios were nutty,

01:13:09toasty, and delicious.

01:13:11I think all of the flavors

01:13:13go together.

01:13:14One doesn't blow out the other.

01:13:16I want to go in

01:13:16for another bite

01:13:17because I'm like,

01:13:17oh my gosh,

01:13:18discover another flavor.

01:13:19Overall,

01:13:20you've taken us

01:13:21on a cultural flavor journey.

01:13:23It's beautiful.

01:13:24I mean,

01:13:24it's a celebration

01:13:25and what a perfect moment

01:13:26for it.

01:13:27Well done.

01:13:27Thank you, chef.

01:13:28I'm so proud of myself

01:13:29to be able to win.

01:13:30It would be

01:13:31the absolute highlight

01:13:32of my life

01:13:33aside from my baby.

01:13:34I would literally

01:13:35scream from the rooftops.

01:13:37Right, next up,

01:13:39this is Chloe's orange,

01:13:40gingerbread,

01:13:41and pecan cake.

01:13:43First of all,

01:13:43I just want to say

01:13:44well done.

01:13:45Honestly,

01:13:46pulling that back

01:13:46the way you did,

01:13:47brilliant job.

01:13:49The scale of the tiers

01:13:50obviously is a little off

01:13:51and some of the frosting

01:13:52is heavy-handed,

01:13:54but I'm really proud of you.

01:13:55I think you put together

01:13:56a very simple

01:13:57and elegant cake.

01:13:59Shall we taste?

01:13:59Yes.

01:14:07Well,

01:14:07this is packed

01:14:08with the spice flavors

01:14:10of the holidays.

01:14:11The middle tier,

01:14:12ginger,

01:14:13I know you had

01:14:13some issues with that.

01:14:14It's just the sponge

01:14:15is a little bit

01:14:16too dense for me,

01:14:17but then the top tier

01:14:18is beautiful.

01:14:19It's elegant.

01:14:20It's sort of,

01:14:21it's almost perfect.

01:14:22If I had three tiers

01:14:24like that,

01:14:25it would be number one.

01:14:26I'm happy to hear

01:14:27how they feel

01:14:28about my flavors,

01:14:29and I imagine

01:14:31that my little sister

01:14:33will be immensely proud.

01:14:36Next up,

01:14:37Stephanie's.

01:14:37This is a peppermint,

01:14:39cranberry,

01:14:40and a gingerbread.

01:14:41I think this is

01:14:43going to be an inspiration

01:14:44for a lot of home cooks.

01:14:45It is effective,

01:14:47it is simple

01:14:48in terms of piping

01:14:49and putting all the decor.

01:14:50It looks elegant.

01:14:52I can imagine kids

01:14:54running up

01:14:55and pressing their nose

01:14:55to the window

01:14:56at this cake

01:14:57in a confectionery

01:14:58or patisserie, yeah.

01:15:00But like all of these cakes,

01:15:01it's about the flavor,

01:15:02profile,

01:15:03and balance, right?

01:15:04Should we get in there?

01:15:05Yeah, sure.

01:15:06Right, on the base,

01:15:07we've got the ginger.

01:15:12Nice.

01:15:14Good job.

01:15:15It's beautiful.

01:15:17Ginger at the bottom.

01:15:18Delicious.

01:15:19Great start.

01:15:19Cranberries, refreshing,

01:15:20tart, everything you want.

01:15:22It's a nice little intro

01:15:22to the holidays.

01:15:23I forgot about

01:15:24the peppermint

01:15:25and the chocolate,

01:15:26and it's just enough.

01:15:27It is not overpowering.

01:15:28It reminded me

01:15:29of having chocolate milk

01:15:30with the little candy cane,

01:15:31like, you know,

01:15:32like, I loved it.

01:15:33Oh, well,

01:15:34it feels like a party.

01:15:35I just want to deck the halls,

01:15:36and you really brought out

01:15:38the spirit of the holidays.

01:15:39I really felt like

01:15:40I was discovering something

01:15:42through each tier

01:15:42of your cake.

01:15:43It really was honestly

01:15:44like opening a present.

01:15:46To hear comments like that

01:15:47about a bake

01:15:49that I've literally

01:15:50just poured

01:15:50so much into,

01:15:53it's just like

01:15:53this soothing balm

01:15:54to my soul.

01:15:55This is Nicky's

01:15:57raspberry hummingbird

01:15:58and amaretto cake.

01:16:00You do nothing by halves.

01:16:01You didn't go down

01:16:02the easy route.

01:16:02Let me tell you,

01:16:03you really went

01:16:03all out there,

01:16:04and it looks beautiful.

01:16:06It's kid-friendly,

01:16:07and it's definitely

01:16:08a celebration

01:16:09for the holidays.

01:16:10You were the only baker

01:16:11who covered your cake

01:16:11in fondant.

01:16:12I think that was

01:16:13a really bold choice

01:16:14because it brought

01:16:15the color.

01:16:16This cake reads

01:16:17to the back of the room.

01:16:18I mean, you could be

01:16:18way over there

01:16:19and see what this cake says,

01:16:20and I do think

01:16:21it's going to bring

01:16:21the kids to the yard.

01:16:22Is that a thing?

01:16:25All right,

01:16:26let's dig in.

01:16:28Did you mean

01:16:28to leave the foil

01:16:29on Santa?

01:16:30You didn't want

01:16:30to undress him

01:16:30for Christmas?

01:16:31I didn't want

01:16:32to undress him.

01:16:33Gotcha.

01:16:33We had to keep it nice.

01:16:35You know,

01:16:35naughty or nice,

01:16:36I kept it nice.

01:16:37I mean,

01:16:37he's on a pole.

01:16:41It's very indulgent,

01:16:43the amaretto.

01:16:44I love that.

01:16:45I love that you made

01:16:46a Christmas cake

01:16:46with hummingbird.

01:16:47It took me down south.

01:16:49It was really

01:16:49sort of comforting.

01:16:51Well done.

01:16:52The big issue I've got

01:16:53is the density

01:16:54of the fondant.

01:16:55It needs to be thin,

01:16:57and sadly,

01:16:58some parts,

01:16:58it's like half an inch thick.

01:17:00But the flavor's there,

01:17:01and I love the fun

01:17:03inside this cake.

01:17:04Well done.

01:17:05Great job.

01:17:07This is Deirdre's

01:17:08peppermint,

01:17:09carrot,

01:17:10and chocolate

01:17:10black licorice cake.

01:17:12I like the ombre

01:17:13of the blue.

01:17:14I'm processing

01:17:15the marshmallows,

01:17:17and the elephant

01:17:18in the room

01:17:19is that it's tilted.

01:17:20Please catch it

01:17:21if it falls.

01:17:23Again,

01:17:23it's going to be

01:17:24all down to the flavor.

01:17:32The carrot cake

01:17:33is divine.

01:17:34It is so fluffy

01:17:35and delicious.

01:17:36The chocolate cake,

01:17:37I love.

01:17:37Be careful

01:17:38about that licorice.

01:17:39It is so strong.

01:17:40The reason this cake

01:17:41is sort of sinking,

01:17:43this carrot cake

01:17:43is so soft,

01:17:44that needed to be

01:17:45on top.

01:17:45It may look busted,

01:17:46but the flavors

01:17:47are on point.

01:17:49Good job.

01:17:51Wow.

01:17:52What an experience.

01:17:55Right now,

01:17:55we need to decide

01:17:56which one of these five

01:17:57becomes our first ever

01:17:58next-level baker.

01:18:01All of you,

01:18:02head back to the lounge.

01:18:03Put your feet up,

01:18:04because we need

01:18:04a strong moment.

01:18:06Well done.

01:18:07Head out.

01:18:08We'll see you shortly.

01:18:09We rock.

01:18:12Ladies,

01:18:13shall we?

01:18:21We got a very hard

01:18:22decision here.

01:18:23Yeah.

01:18:23How do we choose

01:18:24between them?

01:18:25Chloe had a hard time

01:18:25in the kitchen today.

01:18:26She struggled.

01:18:27She's really talented

01:18:27when it comes to flavor.

01:18:29Absolutely.

01:18:29And I give her so much

01:18:30credit for not just

01:18:30breaking down.

01:18:32Yeah.

01:18:32I mean,

01:18:32there was like an hour left

01:18:33when you were putting

01:18:33cakes in the oven.

01:18:34I'm not making my kid's

01:18:35birthday cake after this,

01:18:36honestly.

01:18:37Zah's finishing

01:18:38with that tempered

01:18:39chocolate and the piping.

01:18:40I mean,

01:18:41beautiful.

01:18:41The tempered chocolate

01:18:42was representative

01:18:43of the henna

01:18:44that she's had

01:18:45on her hands,

01:18:45and it was very effective.

01:18:47Yeah.

01:18:47Even if you didn't

01:18:48know the flavors,

01:18:49you got to know her

01:18:50through the cake.

01:18:51It was personal to her.

01:18:52It was celebrating

01:18:53her heritage,

01:18:53and it was something

01:18:55unexpected.

01:18:56Yeah.

01:18:57Your cake was beautiful.

01:18:58That chocolate,

01:18:59that was perfect.

01:19:00Oh, my gosh.

01:19:01And I want to try

01:19:02those flavors.

01:19:03I want to try

01:19:04all your food.

01:19:05Stephanie's cake,

01:19:06I mean,

01:19:06beautiful.

01:19:07Yeah.

01:19:07Really beautiful.

01:19:08The peppermint

01:19:09for me was

01:19:09one of the most

01:19:10elegance.

01:19:10The sponge

01:19:10was delicious.

01:19:11Felt very nostalgic.

01:19:13It was so symmetrical

01:19:14and so beautiful.

01:19:15As a home cook,

01:19:16I think sometimes

01:19:17less is more.

01:19:18That's right.

01:19:18It was stunning.

01:19:19You just said it there.

01:19:20Nikki's.

01:19:21I was excited

01:19:22about the fact

01:19:22that she was

01:19:23working with fondant.

01:19:24She was the only

01:19:24one who did that.

01:19:25Yeah.

01:19:25But it was so thick

01:19:26and it ended up

01:19:27being sort of gummy.

01:19:28I love the decorative

01:19:29part.

01:19:30Yes.

01:19:30You know,

01:19:30she did the frosting

01:19:31with the snow

01:19:31and the Father Christmas.

01:19:33Yes.

01:19:33For the kids,

01:19:34it's just,

01:19:35they'd go to that one.

01:19:35Oh, 100%.

01:19:37I was going to make

01:19:38the damn Santa.

01:19:39You got Santa on a pole?

01:19:40You did.

01:19:41You did.

01:19:43Deirdre's carrot cake

01:19:44for me was a showstopper.

01:19:45The carrot cake

01:19:46was the bomb.

01:19:47That carrot cake

01:19:47was insane.

01:19:48And it tasted

01:19:49incredible.

01:19:50But it looked

01:19:51a hot mess.

01:19:52We've got to pick a winner.

01:19:53It's our first ever

01:19:54next level baker

01:19:54and this is a tough one.

01:19:55Ask yourself this,

01:19:56which cake

01:19:57would you love to see

01:19:58at your table

01:19:59for the holidays?

01:20:00It's a clear top two

01:20:01for me.

01:20:02Yeah.

01:20:02But I'm really torn

01:20:03as to which one

01:20:04is my top choice.

01:20:05I know who my top two are.

01:20:07Interesting.

01:20:08How do we choose

01:20:08between them?

01:20:10No pressure.

01:20:12Seriously?

01:20:42Thank you so much.

01:20:53Ladies, what a night.

01:20:55Olyssie, for the three of us.

01:20:57This has been incredible.

01:20:59You've done yourselves proud,

01:21:01your families proud,

01:21:02and...

01:21:03Our taste buds proud.

01:21:04Our taste buds proud.

01:21:05Olyssie, congratulations

01:21:07to all five of you.

01:21:09We've had a tough discussion.

01:21:12But we do have our winner.

01:21:15One of you

01:21:16is about to become

01:21:17the first person ever

01:21:19to be crowned

01:21:20our next level baker.

01:21:22I mean,

01:21:23as a baker,

01:21:24that's like getting

01:21:25your doctorate.

01:21:26That is the title

01:21:28you will have forever.

01:21:30It is everything.

01:21:31Scooping up that check

01:21:33for $25,000

01:21:34and an incredible

01:21:36Hexlad prize package.

01:21:39I need a Hex-clad crown.

01:21:42You think they don't have

01:21:42a trophy or a crown

01:21:43or something for the queen?

01:21:45For one of you,

01:21:46this is going to be

01:21:46the best holiday ever.

01:21:49To think that I could

01:21:50possibly be

01:21:52the next level baker,

01:21:53that is wild.

01:21:55The winner

01:21:57of next level baker

01:22:00is...

01:22:02Being here already

01:22:03has proven to me

01:22:04that I am really good

01:22:05at baking.

01:22:06And if I win,

01:22:06that would mean

01:22:08so much more.

01:22:09Congratulations

01:22:10goes to...

01:22:13Stephanie!

01:22:17Well done!

01:22:18Well done!

01:22:23Amazing!

01:22:24Well done!

01:22:27Congratulations!

01:22:28You deserve it.

01:22:29Honestly,

01:22:30this is so good.

01:22:30Stephanie, well done.

01:22:31How does that feel?

01:22:32Feels amazing.

01:22:34I'm so grateful

01:22:35to be here

01:22:35and I have such

01:22:37a wonderful family

01:22:38that's supported me

01:22:40through all of this

01:22:41and this has just been

01:22:42the best privilege

01:22:43of my life.

01:22:44Thank you so much.

01:22:45And I...

01:22:46I mean,

01:22:46these women

01:22:48are so incredible.

01:22:50It's been such a gift.

01:22:52I've worked

01:22:53really, really, really hard

01:22:55for so many years

01:22:57and coming here

01:22:58and winning this,

01:23:00all that hard work

01:23:01and the sleepless nights

01:23:02and the tears,

01:23:04like,

01:23:05it's all been worth it.

01:23:07I'm sorry.

01:23:08A home baker did this

01:23:09and I think it shows

01:23:11that even if you're

01:23:12not trained in something,

01:23:14you can do anything.

01:23:16Oh, my goodness.

01:23:17I can't wait

01:23:18to celebrate with my family.

01:23:20It's going to be

01:23:20a Christmas for the books.

01:23:22From our family

01:23:23to yours,

01:23:25happy holidays, everybody.

01:23:28Well done, guys.

01:23:30We wish you a Merry Christmas.

01:23:32We wish you a Merry Christmas.

01:23:35We wish you a Merry Christmas.

01:23:38Happy holidays.

01:23:40Happy holidays.

01:23:41Whose tidings we bring

01:23:44to you and your kids.

01:23:47We wish you a Merry Christmas.

01:23:50Happy holidays.

01:23:51You're so talented.

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