CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AXIOS) – Owner of Sweet Spot Studio Jossie Lukacik is throwing her chef’s hat in the ring for the title of the best cookie baker in the country.
Driving the news: Lukacik, a respected Charlotte pastry chef, will compete on the Food Network’s “Christmas Cookie Challenge” on Dec. 19.
Why it matters: Being on the competitive baking show has been a longtime goal for Lukacik, who’s been applying to be on it since 2020.
How it works: On “Christmas Cookie Challenge,” four bakers compete to prove their holiday cookie-making skills.
- There are two challenges and the winner gets a grand prize of $10K and the coveted golden ornament.
- The casting process to get on the show took about two months — Lukacik started in February and in April she flew to Burbank, Calif., to film.
Flashback: This isn’t Lukacik’s first time on a competitive cooking show. In 2019, she appeared on “Big Time Bake” with her “cake mentor” Ella Stone, owner of Charlotte bakeries Celestial Cakery and SWIRL.
- Before that, however, Lukacik had to overcome a fear of public speaking.
What she’s saying: “Getting to the show is a big deal for me because it’s been a multi-year process of not only gaining confidence but also understanding how it all works,” Lukacik tells Axios.
What’s next: See Lukacik on “Christmas Cookie Challenge” on Dec. 19 at 9pm on the Food Network. The following day, the episode will be available to stream on HBO Max and Discovery Plus.
- You can take a Christmas cookie decorating class with Lukacik at Sweet Spot Studio. Reservations open today.
- Plus, she’s hosting a one-time royal icing event this year. You can preorder here.
- And, she’s taking corporate and bulk orders for gingerbread houses. Take a look here.
One fun thing to go: “I’m Jewish but I’m obsessed with Christmas,” Lukacik said, adding that her obsession with the holiday started at a very young age. “My mom loved decorating [for the holidays] and we would go to New York every year for a family friend’s Christmas party.”
This story from Axios Charlotte was published as part of a partnership.
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