This post, an interview with Carter Oosterhouse, host and judge on The Great American Light Fight and Sherry Yard, judge on The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition is part of press trip with Disney for Mary Poppins Returns. Some interview questions and responses have been edited to improve readability.
We spent a fun morning talking to a few people about the fun holiday program on ABC/Disney/Freeform for the #25DaysofChristmas. Carter and Sherry spoke with us about what makes each of their shows special and also about their favorite family traditions for the holidays. P.S. they brought chocolate with them, so they were naturally our favorite interviews. 😉 I’m sharing some of our conversation with you today!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Carter: Well, because we have a two-year-old, she’s almost two, it’s more creating those memories now and being on the show, I don’t wanna put up lights at all – because I can’t compete! I cannot compete. What I’ve always done, even with my family, and now we’re creating these little things, is we do DIY things all the time. One is pinecones and dipping it into white glue and glitter and then stringing them together just to create some garland and stuff. We do that quite a bit.
Sherry: Ooh, breakfast, I love breakfast! I love to make very unique breakfast things, like latke fries, and I cook popovers and I put smoked salmon in them. So my breakfast is noshing, it’s all about everyone coming over for eating a little something. You know you’ve worked up an appetite, so then after opening up the presents, you go back again and can still nosh. So it isn’t just omelets or things like that, it’s just all different, fun edibles.
What’s your most memorable recipe or house that you’ve seen over the seasons?
Carter: For me, it’s definitely the heavyweight [episode] that’s gonna air on Monday night (this has already aired, you can watch it on-demand now). It was unbelievably shocking to see these people and what goes into it. These people are setting up for months on end. A lot of them are starting once Christmas is done, they start planning for the next one. It was so beautifully draped, the one that had 4 million lights, it was draped over into a river and the river was rushing. So there were so many different experiences going on, that just to digest it was tricky, but then color-coordinated, it was so well put together. That was something that I’m a big fan of, and just seeing that made it that much better and you were able to appreciate it more, because if you have 4 million lights just in this room alone, you’d be like [shocked] you know, but when you see it put together nicely, it’s just such an experience.
Sherry: For me, it’s very hard because we have so many challenges. I think I gained, probably, 15 pounds. I found myself eating two, three bites of one item that they made and they had to make two of that one item, and then there were 10 contestants! So there are 20 items and I’m taking 2, 3 bites (of each) because these bakers, I tell you, they would rival professional pastry chefs. Do not take it for granted: home bakers would kick some butts of some professional bakers out there. And so because of it, everything was so delicious. There were some flops! I don’t know if you know, we do a signature challenge where Paul and I pick whichever baked item that we think might be interesting for the guests to see and a different recipe. I pulled one from one of my books, and it seemed very simple: you have to understand the techniques. I’ll just say this: it had a little meringue with it. Meringue – you can’t take it for granted. We had some interesting ways of interpreting [the recipe]. I also don’t give instructions. Everyone gets the same exact recipe.
What is The Great Christmas Light Fight?
The Great Christmas Light Fight showcases the wildest and most spectacular Christmas displays in America. In each one-hour episode, four families from all around the country decorate their homes to the extreme in the hopes of winning the coveted Light Fight trophy and a $50,000 prize, with a total of $300,000 given away for the season. As the temperature cools down, the competition heats up when families invite us from out of the snow inside their homes to witness their fanatic Christmas décor for the very first time. In addition to all of the stunning inside/outside displays, the first ever “Heavyweights” episode will showcase light shows that have grown too large for any home.
The Great Christmas Light Fight airs Mondays at 8|7c on The ABC Television Network or streaming or on demand. #LightFight
What is the Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition?
Showcasing bakers from around the country each week, The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition puts their best recipes forward as they compete in holiday-themed challenges, all hoping to be named America’s Best Amateur Baker. Joining as host this season, Spice Girl and television personality Emma Bunton, alongside returning host Anthony “Spice” Adams, will present bakers with weekly challenges. Each week, James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Sherry Yard and baker and best-selling cookbook author Paul Hollywood will taste decadent and delicious treats while sharing advice and commentary.
The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition” premieres on Thursday, December 6 at 9|8c with a two-hour episode, and will also be available streaming and on-demand after the premiere. #AmericanBakingShow
This post is part of my unpaid press trip with Disney for the #MaryPoppinsReturnsEvent and #25DaysofChristmasEvent
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