Josh Spring is the latest winner of the popular reality TV show Spring Baking Championship, which aired its ninth season finale on April 7, 2023. Josh, a 32-year-old pastry chef from San Francisco, California, impressed the judges and viewers with his creative and delicious desserts throughout the competition. He beat out 11 other talented bakers to take home the grand prize of $25,000 and the coveted Spring Baking Championship trophy. Here is how he did it.
The Journey to the Finale
Josh was one of the four finalists who made it to the last episode of the season, along with Amy, Ben, and Kelly. The theme of the finale was Spring Fling, and the bakers had to create three different desserts that celebrate the season of love and renewal.
The first challenge was to make a mini dessert with a flower flavor, such as lavender, rose, or jasmine. Josh chose to make lavender macarons with lemon curd filling and candied violets. He nailed the delicate texture and flavor of the macarons, and the judges praised his presentation and balance of sweetness and acidity.
The second challenge was to make a dessert with a spring vegetable, such as carrot, beet, or rhubarb. Josh decided to make a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and candied carrots. He added some spices and nuts to the cake batter, and baked it in a bundt pan. He then drizzled the frosting over the cake, and decorated it with the candied carrots. The judges loved his moist and flavorful cake, and complimented his use of the vegetable.
The final challenge was to make a three-tiered cake that showcases the colors of spring. Josh opted for a vanilla cake with strawberry buttercream, raspberry jam, and fresh berries. He dyed the cake layers in pastel pink, yellow, and green, and piped rosettes and swirls on the sides and top of the cake. He then arranged the fresh berries on each tier, and added some edible flowers and pearls for extra elegance. The judges were blown away by his stunning and scrumptious cake, and declared him the winner of the Spring Baking Championship 2023.
The Secret to His Success
Josh attributed his success to his passion, skills, and experience as a pastry chef. He said he has been baking since he was a kid, and learned a lot from his grandmother, who was also a baker. He said he loves to experiment with different flavors and techniques, and always tries to make his desserts look as good as they taste. He said he was inspired by the spring season, and wanted to showcase its beauty and freshness in his desserts.
He also thanked his fellow competitors, the judges, and the host for making the show a fun and memorable experience. He said he made some great friends along the way, and learned a lot from their feedback and tips. He said he was honored and humbled to win the title, and hoped to inspire other bakers to follow their dreams.
Josh said he plans to use the prize money to open his own bakery, where he will offer a variety of desserts, including some of his signature creations from the show. He said he hopes to share his love of baking with his customers, and make them happy with his sweet treats.
According to Food Network, Spring Baking Championship is one of the most watched and loved baking shows on TV, with millions of fans tuning in every week. The show features 12 bakers from across the country, who compete in themed challenges that test their baking skills and creativity. The show is hosted by comedian and actor Ali Wong, and judged by pastry chefs Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale. The show is produced by Triage Entertainment.