There’s some Central Florida spice in this season of the Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship,” and her name is Zakiya Newton.
Newton, 31, a Gotha resident and 2009 graduate of Monteverde Academy, is delighted to be in the mix. In fact, it was the show that knocked on her door, not the other way around.
“I was contacted through Instagram and email,” says Newton, who admits she was reluctant at first. “My parents encouraged me to follow up and see what would be required … but I realized I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Indeed, in episode three of the popular competition series, now in its ninth season, a pie flight crafted by Newton and fellow contestant Kristen Weidlein, won the day. Newton’s solo contribution featured a citrusy orange curd pie, a delicious hat-tip to her home here in Central Florida.
Though a trained pastry chef — Newton graduated the Culinary Institute of America in 2012 before embarking on a career at various boutique and upscale restaurants in Miami. It’s been five years since Newton’s been in a commercial kitchen, having spun up her home business — Celestial Sweets by Kia (linktr.ee/celestialsweetsbykia) — after becoming a mom to sons Ameer, 4, and Ahmed, 2.
“The experience was definitely challenging, but exhilarating,” she says.
Each episode sees bakers rising to multiple challenges that demand not only creativity, but extreme skill, all under tight time constraints. Celebrity chefs including Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Carla Hall judge each dessert.
“They were all super nice and it was awesome being around them. Plus they offered really good constructive criticism.” Newton said. “I also I met some amazingly talented bakers with whom I’ve formed a very close bond and I would not change that for the world.”
Many of Newton’s earliest childhood memories involve being in the kitchen with her parents and grandmother, Celestine, helping to cook large family dinners — especially during the holidays.
“I remember my grandmother sitting in the kitchen creaming butter and sugar for days by hand… I named my business after her, as she was very influential in my love for baking.”
The title of Holiday Baking Champion is illustrious, as is the Food Network magazine feature that goes along with it. But it’s the $25,000 that will help Newton grow her business and establish a storefront that’s motivating her through the season.
Also, a genuine love for baking this time of year, which she believes taps into something magical.
“There is a special bond that develops when mom, dad and kids are all in the kitchen preparing to bake bread, cakes, cookies and pies for the holidays,” she says. “These are the memories that stick with me throughout life.”
Sweet potato pie, she says, is her favorite for the season.
“My dad’s is the absolute best.”
Cheer for the hometown girl
The popular holiday season show, now in its ninth season, airs at 8 p.m. Monday nights on the Food Network and also can be streamed on Discovery+. This week it’s a doubleheader, two episodes back to back.
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