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The highly anticipated finale of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking aired on December 20, 2024, marking the conclusion of the six-episode baking competition. It was hosted by James and Oliver Phelps, best known as Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter film series.
The show, a Food Network production, showcased the talents of nine teams of bakers competing to create magical and imaginative Harry Potter-inspired desserts. Judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef evaluated the competitors, who were joined by special guest appearances from Harry Potter alumni throughout the series.
In the final episode, filmed in the iconic Great Hall, the two remaining teams faced off in a high-stakes showdown. Zoe Burmester and Jordan Pilarski ultimately emerged victorious, winning the inaugural Wizards of Baking cup and a feature in an upcoming Harry Potter-themed cookbook. Their winning creation, a Christmas-themed bake, impressed the judges.
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Journey of the hosts and contestants on Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking
Hosting Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking brought both excitement and challenges for James and Oliver Phelps. Reflecting on the finale, Oliver shared with People on December 20, 2024, how crucial it was to ensure the announcement of the winners was flawless.
“Just before we went on set to announce the winner, we were again saying, 'So who has won?' Can we triple-check that we've got the right answer?” Oliver said.
The twin brothers, who brought their playful Fred and George Weasley characteristics to the set, indulged in plenty of sweets while filming. Oliver joked that there was a reason he "bought baggy shirts," while James quipped that his daily 5K runs allowed him to enjoy the treats guilt-free.
Despite the indulgence, both agreed that hosting the show was an opportunity to connect with the audience and contestants.
Inside the finale of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking
In the finale of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, contestants were tasked to recreate an iconic Great Hall scene, which should stand at least six feet tall.
Elizabeth and Juan chose to depict the moment when the Weasley twins unleashed chaos on Professor Umbridge. They incorporated a smoking dragon and falling Educational Decrees into their coffee-flavored chocolate cake. The judges, particularly Carla Hall, praised the creativity and the tribute to Juan's Colombian heritage.
On the other hand, Zoe and Jordan opted for a whimsical Christmas-themed bake, complete with turkey-shaped cakes and even simulated snowfall in the Great Hall. Josef Youssef described the creation as a "magic spell in motion," while guest judge Warwick Davis declared the turkey cake the best he had tasted all season.
Adding to the finale's drama, Zoe had to restart her eggnog with time running out, and Elizabeth suffered a minor injury but quickly bounced back. The competition intensified with the arrival of former contestants Miko and Chris, who served as assistants to the finalists for the final challenge.
Zoe and Jordan's intricate design and festive theme impressed the panel, while Elizabeth and Juan's storytelling and technical execution were appreciated by the judges. Ultimately, Zoe and Jordan's bake edged out the competition, making them the first-ever winners of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking.
James and Oliver Phelps, along with the judges and special guests Evanna Lynch, Bonnie Wright, and Warwick Davis, emphasized how much the competition showcased not only the bakers' technical skills but also their ability to infuse creativity and storytelling into their work.
As Oliver put it, the experience was about "connecting the audience to the contestants and judges," and the bakers rose to the occasion, proving themselves to be true wizards of their craft.
While this season has come to a close, fans can relive the magic by streaming Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking on Food Network GO, Discovery+, and Max. The Phelps twins hinted at their hopes of hosting similar projects in the future, inspired by their experience connecting with fans and contestants on the show.
