The Truth About Elaine Duran From Food Network's Easter Basket Challenge
If you're ready for spring and the sweet chocolates and marshmallow goodies that come with it, the Food Network's latest challenge is what you've been waiting for. Easter Basket Challenge pits seven bakers against each as they create treats centered around the spring theme (via Food Network). On a set featuring a giant Easter basket backdrop, the network promises whimsy, "outrageous" challenge themes, and "holiday masterpieces."
Easter Basket Challenge is hosted by Sunny Anderson of Food Network's Home Made in America with Sunny Anderson and The Kitchen. Judging the bakers' creations are Jordan Andino of Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, and Worst Cooks in America (via IMDb) and Claudia Sandoval, also of Worst Cooks in America, Master Chef, and Food Network Challenge (via IMDb)
The Food Network provided hints at some of the challenges, which will include a Project Runway-esque fashion episode in which "bakers rock the runway with their tasty takes on fashion trends using Easter candy as inspiration." In another episode, the contestants will create an "edible Easter parade float" constructed with everyone's favorite sticky holiday treat Peeps (via Food Network).
One of those contestants is Elaine Duran of Kissimmee, Florida, who has a back story that makes it hard not to root from her right out of the gate.
Elaine Duran is a life coach and cancer survivor
One of the lucky seven contestants on the Food Network's Easter Basket Challenge is Kissimmee's Elaine Duran. On her website, Everything Elaine, she writes that she is "ready to whip out some new larger than life cakes with an Easter spin."
Easter Basket Challenge isn't Elaine's first cooking competition. She's previously appeared on TLC, as well as the Food Network (per IMDb). In fact, you might remember Elaine. She is a former Walt Disney World nail technician who teamed up with her husband David Duran on the fourth season (2014) of Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker. They made an impressive Paris-themed wedding cake and six-foot candy tower (via Orlando Magazine), and won the Carrabba's dessert challenge, after which their pineapple cake was featured at the chain's restaurants.
In 2016, at age 40, Elaine added the role of "coach" to her resume after a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis. She writes that from the experience, "it quickly became evident to me that my purpose was not just to create, but to motivate." She even wrote a book, You're Next!, outlining her path to success (via Everything Elaine) and is preparing to launch her own podcast.
Ready to see a fun spring baking competition with sweet Easter creations? Watch Elaine Duran and her six fellow contestants beginning Monday, March 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.