Holiday-themed baking shows are a dime a dozen this time of year. But even I, a hardened TV critic, have a soft spot for elaborate sugar sculptures and the occasional cake-related meltdown. So I’m more than a little mildly interested in Food Network’s Holiday Wars “Winter Workout” episode, which apparently involves Santa Claus hitting the gym. Yes, you read that right.
This week’s installment, inspired by the Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans action-comedy Red One, asks cake and sugar artists to depict Santa’s unorthodox fitness routine. Because when I think Christmas miracles, I think heavily muscled elves spotting Santa on the bench press. One can only imagine the sugar-spun interpretations of Santa’s “gains” and the inevitable gingerbread-induced injuries.
Host Jeff Mauro welcomes three new teams to the arena, each eager to prove their holiday baking prowess and secure a spot in the main Holiday Wars competition. Judges Shinmin Li and Kardea Brown will have the difficult task of deciding which two teams advance, presumably based on criteria like structural integrity of the Santa-shaped pecs and overall festive flavor profiles. Will we see a protein-powder-infused Yule log? A sugar-free fruitcake for the health-conscious Kris Kringle? The possibilities, much like Santa’s waistline after a few too many milk-and-cookies breaks, are vast.
Tune in to Food Network on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET/PT for “Winter Workout.”
