Greenville’s own Katie Shegda, pastry chef at Coral in the downtown district, has been selected to compete on Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship. The reality‑cooking series premieres on Sept. 14 and will air Mondays at 9 p.m. on the Food Network, with streaming on HBO Max the following day.
From local kitchen to national stage
Shegda’s journey to the show began three years ago when Food Network first reached out to see if she would be interested in a television appearance. At the time she was eight months pregnant and asked for a year’s delay. A second call came after she gave birth, but she again had to decline. This season, the producers finally returned, and Shegda seized the opportunity, saying, “I always told myself, ‘if they ever reach back out again, you gotta take this opportunity.’ They did and we just got the ball rolling from there.”
What the competition entails
The contest is set in the Museum of Unnatural History, where ten bakers will face challenges inspired by the museum’s spooky exhibits—possessed pests, demon masks, and a vault of bones. Each round’s desserts are judged by Food Network personalities Stephanie Boswell, Aarti Sequeira, and Zac Young. The baker who survives each elimination wins the title of champion and a $25,000 prize.
Shegda’s preparation and mindset
To secure her spot, Shegda filmed a self‑recorded baking demo, timed her process, and explained the creation. Once selected, she chose not to binge‑watch prior episodes, preferring a “fly‑by‑the‑seat‑of‑the‑pants” approach. “If I watch the show or I prep too much, you pigeonhole yourself,” she explained.
When filming began, Shegda found the schedule more grueling than expected. “There were days I was just like, ‘apparently sleep and basic human needs are optional today,’” she said, noting that the intense pace proved to be her biggest personal challenge.
Local pride and community support
Greenville residents have rallied behind Shegda, viewing her participation as a showcase of the city’s culinary talent. Coral’s owner and fellow staff members expressed excitement, emphasizing how the appearance highlights Greenville’s growing food scene and the dedication of its chefs.
Shegda’s upcoming television debut offers a chance for the city’s hospitality industry to gain national exposure, potentially drawing food‑enthusiasts to downtown Greenville’s restaurants and bakeries.
When to watch
The first episode of Halloween Baking Championship airs on Sept. 14 at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network, with subsequent episodes streaming on HBO Max each Tuesday. Viewers can follow Shegda’s progress and cheer on a hometown chef as she tackles the eerie challenges ahead.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
