Michigan Baker Joins Food Network’s ‘Halloween Cookie Challenge’

The Food Network has always been the go-to channel for cooking and baking competitions. Even those with a twist like Halloween themes. Michigan has its own contender in the spotlight. Anthony Lerma, the owner of Flushing's The Cookie Sir, secured a place on the Food Network competition, The Halloween Cookie Challenge.

Lerma is gearing up to participate in the upcoming second season of the Halloween Cookie Challenge on the Food Network. He'll face off against talented bakers from across the country, each hoping to secure the $10,000 prize.

"Being selected for the show was truly a surreal moment. I’ve been watching Food Network shows for years and watching people do some amazing things. To be a part of that is a dream come true," he told us.

He also mentioned that during his time on the show, he had the opportunity to connect with incredibly talented bakers. Many of them have become close friends. "I was absolutely excited and nervous to compete as it was my very first competition in baking. But everyone made it such a great experience that the nerves went as soon as the clock started," he said.

Lerma originally comes from Phoenix, Arizona. He currently makes his home in Flushing with his husband and three dogs, located near his family's orchard and bakery. He mentioned that he has had a lifelong interest in baking, with a particular focus on cookies since around 2018. In 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic, he ventured into the cookie business. This marked the beginning of his business journey.

"It was actually a blessing since everything is individually bagged and sealed and was just what people wanted," he said.

From that point onward, his business took off through word-of-mouth, attracting a steady stream of repeat customers over the years. You can find The Cookie Sir at 7290 Carpenter Rd in Flushing.

Celebrity pastry chef Duff Goldman and social media sensation Rosanna Pansino co-host the second season of The Halloween Cookie Challenge, where top cookie makers compete to create the spookiest and most delicious Halloween cookies. The new season started on September 25th. If you're interested in watching him compete, catch the Halloween Cookie Challenge on Monday, October 16th, at 10 p.m. EST on the Food Network, and it can also be streamed on MAX/Discovery+.

A popular Detroit chef scored himself a victory on Food Network’s Chopped: All-American Showdown. Detroit chef Omar Anani, the mastermind behind Detroit's Saffron De Twah restaurant has experienced much success over the years. In 2021, he was honored as a Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Food Fighter for his efforts in feeding those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he has been a consistent contender for the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Great Lakes region in the past two years.

Recently, on the Chopped: All-American Showdown, stood out as the champion of the North region. The current season of the cooking competition series gathered 16 cooks from various cities nationwide to represent the North, South, East, and West regions. As one of the four chefs representing the North, Anani showcased his culinary talent by crafting three dishes using ingredients from the notorious "Chopped" mystery box. The grand finale winner would have the chance to claim a $50,000 prize.

During the competition, judges Eric Adjepong, Scott Conant, and Alex Guarnaschelli sought out all-American dishes, and Anani shared offerings that reflected the diverse flair of America. Anani's creations included fried lake perch with a sautéed corn salad, goat meatballs infused with cardamom, clove, coriander, and other warm spices, and a chocolate peanut butter mahalabia with a root beer cherry gastrique.

Anani's journey in the dessert course was particularly intense as he went head-to-head with Vedaa, representing Ohio, in the Michigan-Ohio rivalry. Anani's dessert, featuring cherries, a Michigan summertime favorite, and buckeyes, the famous Ohio chocolate-covered peanut butter candy, emerged victorious, filling the people of Michigan with pride.

The Chopped: All-American Showdown continues next week, showcasing four chefs from the South who will compete for a spot in the grand finale scheduled to air on August 8th at 8 p.m.

Chef Anani totally rocked it with his gluten-free dish featuring perch, a freshwater fish. The judges were initially worried, but he blew them away, and you can see in the video that he had this competition in the bag.

In one of the rounds, the North region chefs faced ingredients unique to their area. They even took a shot at making succotash, an American classic dish, combining corn and lima beans in a delicious blend.

Before the show aired, Food Network teased fans with small previews on their social media. Among them was a dramatic buildup, hinting at an intense face-off with the caption, "Northern chefs are facing off to see who will rep their region in the #Chopped All-American Showdown finale 🇺🇸🙌"

In the 'Chopped: All-American Showdown,' the second battle showcased top chefs from the North. Securing victory in the preliminary round meant earning a spot in the grand finale.

The North region's lineup consists of chefs hailing from different areas: Omar Anani representing Detroit, Andy Schumacher from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Karyn Tomlinson from St. Paul, Minnesota, and Jill Vedaa from Lakewood, Ohio. There can only be one finalist from the North, and we have our winner! Now, it's time for the South to step up as four talented chefs compete for a spot in the grand finale of "Chopped: All-American Showdown" next week. The culinary battle continues.