Food Network has announced its extensive 2026 holiday programming slate. The lineup features a mix of new baking challenges, returning seasonal favorites, and a major structural shakeup for one of its most popular culinary competitions. The festive lineup kicks off on November 2, 2026. It brings five competition series to viewers with cash prizes ranging from $12,000 to $100,000.
The culinary festivities culminate on Tuesday, November 17, at 8:00 PM ET/PT with the return of Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown. This season introduces a fresh team-based format. It pits Team Bobby Flay against Team Brooke Williamson in a high-stakes culinary battle.
A New Twist for Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown
The traditional format of Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown undergoes a dramatic transformation for the upcoming holiday season. Culinary icons Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson lead opposing teams. The network describes the event as an all-out holiday party turned competitive showdown.
Brooke Williamson joins forces with fellow chefs Antonia Lofaso and Ayesha Nurdjaja. Bobby Flay’s initial roster features chefs Michael Voltaggio and Michael Jenkins. Throughout the season, guest chefs and competitors rotate in to join the teams. These guests include Gabe Bertaccini, Maneet Chauhan, Adrienne Cheatham, Leah Cohen, Tiffani Faison, Viet Pham, Damaris Phillips, Marcus Samuelsson, Jet Tila, Bryan Voltaggio, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Claudette Zepeda.
Expanded 2026 Holiday Programming Lineup
Food Network’s late-year schedule includes seasonal tournaments and fresh series throughout November alongside the headlining holiday showdown:
- Holiday Baking Championship: Premieres Monday, November 2, at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Host Jesse Palmer welcomes twelve bakers to Santa’s Village. Judges Duff Goldman, Kardea Brown, and Molly Yeh award the $25,000 grand prize.
- Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking: Launches Wednesday, November 4, at 8:00 PM ET/PT. This magical competition returns for a second season to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first film. Hosts James and Oliver Phelps join judges Duff Goldman and Sarah Mountain, with teams representing the four Hogwarts Houses.
- Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas: Debuts Sunday, November 8, at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Guy Fieri hosts thirty-two elite chefs competing in duos for a $100,000 prize and charity support.
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Sweet Deceit: Premieres Monday, November 16, at 9:00 PM ET/PT. Host Josh Peck leads teams through hyper-realistic cake illusion challenges in holiday-themed locations for a $12,000 prize.
Production Credits
Several production houses back the holiday programming slate. Rock Shrimp Productions produces Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown. Warner Horizon Unscripted Television produces Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, while Sonic Dog produces Holiday Baking Championship. Lando Entertainment produces Sweet Deceit. Finally, Knuckle Sandwich and Lando Entertainment jointly produce Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas.
