Food Network has a new magical treat in store for viewers this holiday season: The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned cable channel has ordered a baking competition inspired by the beloved “Harry Potter” franchise.
Titled “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” the new show will feature “innovative pastry chefs” as they “craft spellbinding sweet creations” inspired by the films starring Daniel Radcliffe in the titular role.
The show will be filmed at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London’s “The Making of Harry Potter” location, giving the competitors “unprecedented access to the actual sets where the films were made as they present their creations to the judges and special guests.”
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Per the competition’s description, “Viewers will see beloved locations, including inside The Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Platform 9¾, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, The Burrow as well as props, costumes, and clips from the blockbuster films. ‘Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking’ will delight viewers as it blends the magic of Harry Potter with the very real talent of exceptional pastry chefs.”
Food Network revealed the “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking” series order during Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront presentation to advertisers Wednesday, which was held at Madison Square Garden. U.S. networks chairman and CEO Kathleen Finch made the announcement on stage before running a teaser clip set to the original “Harry Potter” theme song and featuring pastries and desserts inspired by Harry’s owl Hedwig, the golden galleons from Gringotts bank, and even baby mandrakes.
The baking competition has been picked up just as Food Network sibling Max is ramping up development on its “Harry Potter” TV show — a new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series that was first ordered by the streamer in April 2023 and is described as a more complete and detailed retelling of the novels. Both projects are in line with WBD CEO David Zaslav’s huge push to mine as much existing high-profile Warner Bros. IP as possible, including more “Game of Thrones” series, a rebooted DC Universe franchise and the new “The Lord of the Rings” films.
More to come…
