Why Duff Goldman Always Announces The Elimination On Kids Baking Championship
The Food Network show "Kids Baking Championship" brings together the best young bakers to compete under the mentorship of the show's co-hosts and judges, star chefs Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli. In each episode, kids face off in themed baking challenges — but at the end of the episode, you'll only see Goldman announce which baker won't continue to the next round.
The show's positive tone has been praised by critics and Bertinelli and Goldman's on-screen banter is not just an act: The two genuinely get along well. "I adore Duff. I just love him," Bertinelli revealed in an exclusive interview with Mashed.
The co-hosts are also supportive of the contestants' progress. Although the "Kids Baking Championship" producer refuses to let the hosts directly help the kids, each dish gets a constructive 20-minute discussion from the judges, most of which doesn't even make it to the final episode (per Food Network). When it comes time for the emotional elimination, both judges' opinions matter equally. But there's an interesting reason why it's always Duff who delivers the news.
Duff Goldman's relatable role on Kids Baking Championship
Viewers of "Kids Baking Championship" will generally only see Duff Goldman announce eliminations on the popular Food Network show. It's almost never his co-host, Valerie Bertinelli. The reason Goldman takes on this role every episode is heartwarming — and pretty relatable.
On the very first day of filming the show's first season, Bertinelli admitted she couldn't bring herself to put any of the kids on the chopping block. "It's too hard for me," she said (via Food Network). "And Duff does such a good job, you can see his heart bleeding while he does it."
Fans know that Goldman definitely does get emotional during "Kids Baking Championship," because he relates to what the kids are going through. "When I get enthusiastic, I show it — because I am also a 12-year-old," he joked to Food Network.
Bertinelli always looks on the bright side, noting in an interview with Food Network that eliminated contestants still come away with an important lesson. "Not everybody can win," she said. "So you do your best, you try your best, you give it your all, and if you still don't make it, it's OK. You can try harder next time and for anything else." Sounds like emotional intelligence is one of the show's key ingredients.