The Harry Potter universe is set to cast a delicious spell on fans with a brand-new culinary competition series, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, premiering on November 14 at 8 pm ET/PT on Food Network, with streaming availability on Max. This six-episode series, hosted by James and Oliver Phelps—widely recognized for their roles as Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films—invites viewers into a world where enchanting creations blend with culinary skill in the most magical way.
The Phelps brothers, along with celebrated culinary judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef, will guide nine teams of pastry chefs and cake artists through a series of themed challenges inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. Each episode transports bakers to iconic settings from the wizarding world, with tasks that include creating treats based on places like Diagon Alley, Gringotts, and even the Forbidden Forest. A standout challenge involves the bakers constructing a towering, edible Whomping Willow—a true test of their imagination and technical prowess. According to Oliver, one of the teams even crafted 50 Golden Snitches, resembling movie props more than mere pastries.
“With Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, the confectionary magic coming this November is splendidly real and unlike anything seen before,” remarked Betsy Ayala, Warner Bros. Discovery’s head of food content. “It’s a culinary competition that taps into both the incredible Harry Potter fandom and Food Network’s beloved holiday programming, delivering enchanted culinary craftsmanship during the most wonderful time of year.”
While the competitors are already kitchen professionals, knowledge of the Harry Potter world is essential to succeed. “Every episode is based on a set,” explains James Phelps. “For example, in the Diagon Alley episode, one team was given Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, another Ollivander’s Wand Shop, and they had to create a bake inspired by their assigned theme. So, having that knowledge really comes in handy.”
Set against the backdrop of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, where the original Harry Potter movies were filmed, the series immerses competitors and viewers in a true-to-life wizarding world. Familiar sets such as Platform 9¾, the Great Hall, and Dumbledore’s office are used for various segments. The Phelps brothers, despite their extensive history on the set, experienced parts of the wizarding world for the first time. “We’d never filmed on the Forbidden Forest set, so to go there when it was all dressed up was quite cool,” Oliver shared with a laugh. “We also got to film in the back part of Dumbledore’s office, just before Carla and Joseph selected the weekly winner—it was incredible.”
Adding to the excitement, the series will feature special guest judges from the Harry Potter film series, including Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick/Griphook), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley). Reflecting on reuniting with his former castmates, James noted, “When we did the [Harry Potter] 20th Anniversary special, we realized we’re the only people in the world who know what that experience was like. It’s always meaningful to come together.”
November 14 will also mark the return of Harry Potter: Fireplace (Yule Log) on Max, adding a cozy magical ambiance for the holiday season. The fireplace stream brings fans a warm, Potter-inspired background perfect for the festive months, making the holiday season feel a little more enchanted.
The stakes for Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking are high, with the winning team not only taking home the prestigious Wizards of Baking Cup but also earning a spot in a future Harry Potter cookbook. With the perfect blend of holiday spirit, legendary storytelling, and culinary skill, this series is sure to become a magical addition to every fan’s watchlist.
Also Read: 10 Highest-Rated Animated Series of 2024
Discover more from GoBookMart🔴
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
