Suvechha Sarkar
Bringing the festive spirit of Halloween into the kitchen, Food Network’s ‘Halloween Baking Championship’ challenges talented bakers to transform their creativity into elaborate Halloween-themed desserts. In season 12, ten talented contestants stepped into the kitchen, each hoping to impress the judges. They also hoped to claim not just the title of the winner but also the $25,000 cash prize. Evaluating each of those creations were the formidable judges: Stephanie Boswell, Aarti Sequeira, and Zac Young. Additionally, the competitors are guided by the charismatic host, John Henson.
Baindu Squire Has Turned Her Passion Into a Notable Baking Venture
Baindu Squire, also known as Lady B, began her professional journey in June 2011, when she stepped into the role of Line Cook II at Acts Retirement Services, Inc., and left the position in August 2013. Over the next few years, she gained hands-on experience in multiple roles before choosing to pursue her entrepreneurial spirit and love of baking. In March 2020, Baindu launched her baking venture, LadyB’s, where she works as a Cake Artist, creating custom cakes and desserts for several occasions. The business has a website where customers can place orders for baked goods and purchase merchandise items.
Long before entering the competition, Baindu had already gained experience by competing on season 2 of ‘Holiday Wars’ and season 3 of ‘The Big Bake: Holiday.’ Furthermore, she served as a panel judge on season 3 of ‘Buddy vs. Duff.’ She is also a guest chef for an online creator who goes by the username “greatdaylo.” As of writing, she is quite active on Instagram, where she shares pictures of her beautifully crafted cakes. Currently residing in New Orleans, Louisiana, Baindu’s personal life largely revolves around her beloved son. A sports enthusiast, she enjoys attending football games at the stadium.
Caleb King is Thriving in His Roles as a Head Pastry Chef and Beloved Uncle
After learning the art of pastry making from the Seattle Culinary Academy at Seattle Central College, Caleb King took the first steps forward professionally in the culinary world at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as a Pastry Cook in 2019. There, he spent several years gaining valuable experience and refining his skills. Eventually, he moved on from that position to join the resort Treehouse Point in the role of Pastry Chef sometime around 2025. Caleb also began working in Treehouse Kitchen, its commercial kitchen. His dedication helped him rise through the ranks to become the Head Pastry Chef for Treehouse Point and Treehouse Kitchen.
Moreover, Caleb is associated with the Aroma Coffee Co and The Rec Room Snoqualmie, a sports bar. Outside the kitchen, he offers glimpses into his culinary creations at Treehouse Point and Treehouse Kitchen. Beyond that, his wanderlust has taken him on memorable trips to beautiful destinations such as Jordan, Scotland, and London, England. Caleb’s family holds a special place in his heart, especially the bond he shares with his sister, Danielle Cox. He is also a proud uncle who loves playing with the younger members of his family. In his leisure time, Caleb enjoys activities like hiking and spending quality time with his friends.
Ciarra Roberts Efficiently Juggles Her Culinary Career With Powerlifting
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Ciarra Roberts joined the workforce in January 2011, when she took on a part-time role as a Pastry Assistant at Tavolo Pronto. After serving there until September 2013, she worked at several other establishments to build a strong foundation and hone her skills. Ultimately, in May 2021, Ciarra became the Pastry Cook 1 at the EDGE Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. As of writing, she continues to work there as Pastry Sous Chef. Besides that, powerlifting and fitness have become significant parts of her journey.
On June 28, 2025, Ciarra achieved another milestone by competing in her first powerlifting competition and proudly taking home a medal. Away from her professional pursuits, she cherishes the unbreakable bond she shares with her sister, Christiana Valko. Her friendships are an equally important part of her life, as evidenced by her enjoyment of exploring different restaurants with them. Another major part of Ciarra’s heart belongs to her beloved partner, Zachary Fowler, whom she calls her “best friend.” Away from her busy life, she loves playing guitar and going on long hikes.
Elizabeth Suwanski Skillfully Balances Her Corporate Journey With Baking
After completing her academic journey, Elizabeth Suwanski began her professional trajectory as an IPpay Merchant Services Support Specialist at Convergence Technologies in June 2010. Her dedication soon led to her promotion to IPpay Operations Supervisor before she moved on in May 2015. Elizabeth then assumed the role of IPpay Support Manager at IPpay, LLC. She eventually climbed the corporate ladder to become the Technical Support Manager, then the Manager of Gateway Operations. Today, she continues to work in that role at IPpay, LLC. Beyond that, Elizabeth never stopped pursuing her baking hobby, which led her into the spotlight in 2023 when she competed in season 2 of ‘Halloween Cookie Challenge.’
After that competition, Elizabeth walked away with a $10,000 prize. As a home baker, she continued experimenting with different baking techniques before launching her Etsy shop, PumpkinMoonCookies. She has also cultivated a growing presence on Instagram, where she has amassed over 3.1K followers. On the platform, she regularly shares pictures of her latest creations. In July 2026, Elizabeth attended the CookieCon Orlando in Florida, adding another memorable experience to her journey. When she isn’t busy with work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and making lifelong memories with her family.
Justin Giordano is Flourishing as a Cake Artist and Globe-Trotter
Residing in New York City, Justin Giordano has continued to nurture his love for baking as a professional Cake Artist, bringing his creativity and attention to detail to every creation. From elaborate birthday cakes to elegant wedding desserts, he embraces every opportunity to showcase his talent. Besides that, Justin has also been developing a growing presence on Instagram as a content creator, with more than 3.5K followers. There, he regularly shares pictures and videos of his creative process and the techniques and recipes he uses for his desserts.
Some of Justin’s beloved recipes that are featured on his Instagram page include Swiss meringue buttercream and whipped strawberry-basil ganache. In November 2025, he participated in a hands-on workshop at BDC Studios, where he had the opportunity to teach others and share his expertise. The following month, Justin collaborated with the Mellon Foundation to showcase his skills. Apart from that, he shares a special connection with his father, Gerry, and brother, Jeremy. As a passionate traveler, Justin has ventured to mesmerizing destinations around the globe, including memorable trips to Iceland, Ireland, and Uruguay.
Katie Shegda is Making Her Mark as a Pastry Chef Away From the Spotlight
A Florida native, Katie Shegda found inspiration for baking during her childhood trips to Disney, particularly for the place’s playful colors and incredible atmosphere. After completing her formal education and training, she stepped into the professional world as a Pastry Cook at Hyatt Regency in 2014. For three years, she gained priceless experience there before leaving the position in 2017. Her journey took her through several positions, including Executive Pastry Chef at The Country Club of Orlando and Pastry Chef at Bon Appétit Management Company.
Ultimately, in 2022, Katie embarked on another chapter by joining Coral Greenville as a Pastry Chef. She has continued to work there ever since, with her colleagues showing their support for her participation in the show. Despite her professional accomplishments and appearances in the culinary spotlight, Katie maintains a notably private presence on social media. Her preference for privacy is also evident in her private Instagram page.
Kyle Caulkins is a Kitchen Supervisor and Conducts Baking Classes
Long before Kyle Caulkins stepped into the spotlight, he had already been building a unique path as a baker. In October 2020, he joined the workforce as a part-time Baker and Front-of-House Worker at The Pursuit of Pastry. He remained there until August 2022, gaining valuable experience before serving as a Pastry Cook/Intern at Kiawah Island Golf Resort from August to December 2022. In May 2023, Kyle returned to the establishment as a Pastry Cook. His hard work eventually paid off, leading to his promotion to Kitchen Supervisor in June 2025, a position he continues to hold today.
Alongside that, Kyle has also embraced his love for teaching and often conducts hands-on baking classes with Chef’s Collective. He has ventured into entrepreneurship, running his venture, Baked By Kyle C. The business also maintains a website where customers can learn more about its services. He also utilizes his Instagram page to share glimpses of his professional endeavors and recipes. In 2025, Kyle reached another significant milestone when he became a finalist on ‘Holiday Bakeshop.’ However, it is worth noting that he shields further details of his private life away from the public eye.
Kyle Olson Has Established Himself as an Executive Pastry Chef at Hilton
Over the years, Kyle Olson has steadily built an impressive career as a pastry chef and baker, gaining valuable experience before taking on leadership roles in the culinary world. In July 2022, he joined Hilton Columbus Downtown as a Pastry Supervisor. By April 2024, Kyle O. had been promoted to Executive Pastry Chef. As of writing, he continues to work in that position at FYR Restaurant, Stories On High Bar, and Gallerie Bar & Bistro, all located within Hilton Columbus Downtown. Kyle O. has also been steadily growing his fanbase on Instagram, with over 2.5K followers. There, he regularly shares sneak peeks of his culinary creations at work.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Kyle O. maintains an incredible connection with his siblings, Chelsea Alaina and Jake. Another part of his world revolves around his beloved pup, Hank, who is the baker’s cherished companion. When he is not busy in the kitchen, Kyle O. enjoys attending music festivals and immersing himself in their lively atmosphere. As a sports enthusiast, he can often be found on the sidelines at the stadium cheering for his favorite ice hockey team. Alongside that, Kyle O. shares a close relationship with his grandparents and always holds his friends close to his heart.
Lisa Pak Continues to Expand Her Ventures With Her Family by Her Side
Lisa Pak’s journey has always been shaped by creativity and resilience. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and graduating from the French Culinary Institute, she began exploring several artistic disciplines, working as a baker, cake decorator, artist, and painter. Gradually, Lisa combined her skills with her entrepreneurial drive and opened her bakery, Lii’s Cakes Shop, in New York. Through the venture, she connects with customers at pop-up events, most recently at The Whale Building in Brooklyn. She has also been running Lisa Pak’s Cakes simultaneously. Lisa further expanded her entrepreneurial portfolio by launching her new company, Lisa Pak’s Treats LLC, which she also calls her “baby company.”
In August 2026, the business collaborated with ThaiMeUp, further expanding its presence. Apart from that, she is no stranger to competitive baking, having competed in season 13 of ‘Halloween Wars’ as part of a team. On the personal front, she finds strength in the presence of her husband, Harvey Li, her son, Josh, and her daughter, Jayme. On August 27, 2025, she experienced a heartbreaking loss when her brother-in-law, Long Mac, passed away. However, amid Lisa’s grief, the presence of her loved ones has helped her walk on the path of healing and continue moving forward in her life.
Marian Mulero Cherishes Every Moment She Spends With Her Son
Based in Miami, Florida, Marian Mulero has carved out her own space in the culinary world, combining her creativity with an entrepreneurial spirit. She is the founder of Chef Marian Cakes & Dessert Tables. The venture has a website where clients can explore Marian’s work, browse the menu and view product pricing. Besides that, she is an Executive Pastry Chef who often appears on the Roku Channel. Marian notably competed in season 3 of ‘Best Baker in America.’ She has continued to build a growing presence on Instagram, with more than 2.3K followers.
In January 2026, Marian collaborated with Cakes and the City and Sweet Flavor to prepare a dessert table. Two months later, she once again partnered with Cakes and the City and Miami Flowers Design for another dessert-table project. While Marian continues to devote herself to her culinary ventures, she has chosen to keep further details about her personal life out of the limelight. Yet we do know that one of the most important parts of her life is her beloved son, Matthew, who is also a source of motivation in her journey.
Read More: The Ultimate Baking Championship Contestants: Where Are They Now?
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