Iowa Baker Takes on Netflix's "Blue Ribbon Baking Championship"

Eileen Gannon, a Des Moines-based baker with over 600 ribbons from the Iowa State Fair and national food competitions, is taking her baking talents to the next level – reality television. Gannon is one of 10 contestants competing on Netflix's new show "Blue Ribbon Baking Championship," premiering on August 9th.

Gannon's baking journey began at the young age of 12, winning her first ribbons for corn muffins and chocolate chip cookies at the Iowa State Fair. Her passion for baking was nurtured by her mother, who taught her valuable recipes and techniques growing up on an Iowa farm. Gannon's expertise encompasses everything from perfect pie crusts to show-stopping red velvet cakes, ensuring each monster cookie is a masterpiece.

In 2021, she founded her own business, Sunday Night Foods, a Des Moines-based company specializing in premium chocolate dessert sauces. Her three shelf-stable chocolate sauces gained national recognition, earning a Sofi award – the Oscar of the specialty food world – in the dessert toppings category at the 2024 Specialty Food Association's Sofi Awards.

Now, Gannon is ready to face a new challenge on "Blue Ribbon Baking Championship." The Netflix series pits blue ribbon winners from state fairs across the country against each other for a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000. The show features eight episodes, premiering just one day after the start of the Iowa State Fair.

A trailer for the show highlights the diverse talent pool, featuring pastry masters from California, Idaho, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Ohio and more. Host Jason Biggs, known for his role in the "American Pie" film franchise, introduces the competition, saying, "We scoured the nation for the best blue ribbon winning bakers from state fairs across America."

"Blue Ribbon Baking Championship" promises a delectable competition judged by a panel of baking experts, including Sandra Lee, host of "Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee"; Bill Yosses, former White House pastry chef; and Miami-based bread baker Bryan Ford. These judges will put the contestants' skills to the test, challenging them to reinterpret classic fair foods and specialty ingredients, crafting creative cakes, pies, and anything else they can dream up.

"Blue Ribbon Baking Championship" premieres on August 9th on Netflix, giving viewers a front-row seat to the exciting world of competitive baking. With Gannon's impressive track record and passion for baking, viewers can expect to see her rise to the challenge and showcase her talents on the national stage.