Michigan Baker Joins Food Network’s ‘Halloween Cookie Challenge’
Anthony Lerma , owner of Flushing's The Cookie Sir will be competing in the Halloween Cookie Challenge on the Food Network.
The Food Network has always been the go-to channel for cooking and baking competitions. Even those with a twist like Halloween themes. Michigan has its own contender in the spotlight. Anthony Lerma, the owner of Flushing’s The Cookie Sir, secured a place on the Food Network competition, The Halloween Cookie Challenge.
Lerma is gearing up to participate in the upcoming second season of the Halloween Cookie Challenge on the Food Network. He’ll face off against talented bakers from across the country, each hoping to secure the $10,000 prize.
“To be on the Food Network is a dream come true!”
“Being selected for the show was truly a surreal moment. I’ve been watching Food Network shows for years and watching people do some amazing things. To be a part of that is a dream come true,” he told us.
He also mentioned that during his time on the show, he had the opportunity to connect with incredibly talented bakers. Many of them have become close friends. “I was absolutely excited and nervous to compete as it was my very first competition in baking. But everyone made it such a great experience that the nerves went as soon as the clock started,” he said.
How it began.
Lerma originally comes from Phoenix, Arizona. He currently makes his home in Flushing with his husband and three dogs, located near his family’s orchard and bakery. He mentioned that he has had a lifelong interest in baking, with a particular focus on cookies since around 2018. In 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic, he ventured into the cookie business. This marked the beginning of his business journey.
“It was actually a blessing since everything is individually bagged and sealed and was just what people wanted,” he said.
From that point onward, his business took off through word-of-mouth, attracting a steady stream of repeat customers over the years. You can find The Cookie Sir at 7290 Carpenter Rd in Flushing.
Celebrity pastry chef Duff Goldman and social media sensation Rosanna Pansino co-host the second season of The Halloween Cookie Challenge, where top cookie makers compete to create the spookiest and most delicious Halloween cookies. The new season started on September 25th. If you’re interested in watching him compete, catch the Halloween Cookie Challenge on Monday, October 16th, at 10 p.m. EST on the Food Network, and it can also be streamed on MAX/Discovery+.
Detroiter Wins On Food Network's 'Chopped: All-American Showdown'
A popular Detroit chef scored himself a victory on Food Network’s Chopped: All-American Showdown. Detroit chef Omar Anani, the mastermind behind Detroit’s Saffron De Twah restaurant has experienced much success over the years. In 2021, he was honored as a Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Food Fighter for his efforts in feeding those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he has been a consistent contender for the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Great Lakes region in the past two years.
Recently, on the Chopped: All-American Showdown, stood out as the champion of the North region. The current season of the cooking competition series gathered 16 cooks from various cities nationwide to represent the North, South, East, and West regions. As one of the four chefs representing the North, Anani showcased his culinary talent by crafting three dishes using ingredients from the notorious “Chopped” mystery box. The grand finale winner would have the chance to claim a $50,000 prize.
Food Network’s Chopped: All-American Showdown
During the competition, judges Eric Adjepong, Scott Conant, and Alex Guarnaschelli sought out all-American dishes, and Anani shared offerings that reflected the diverse flair of America. Anani’s creations included fried lake perch with a sautéed corn salad, goat meatballs infused with cardamom, clove, coriander, and other warm spices, and a chocolate peanut butter mahalabia with a root beer cherry gastrique.
Anani’s journey in the dessert course was particularly intense as he went head-to-head with Vedaa, representing Ohio, in the Michigan-Ohio rivalry. Anani’s dessert, featuring cherries, a Michigan summertime favorite, and buckeyes, the famous Ohio chocolate-covered peanut butter candy, emerged victorious, filling the people of Michigan with pride.
The Chopped: All-American Showdown continues next week, showcasing four chefs from the South who will compete for a spot in the grand finale scheduled to air on August 8th at 8 p.m.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.
