School Bulletin: Kid contestant returns to Food Network
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Christmastime means sharing the tidings of comfort and joy, and for one Franklin High School senior that joy comes from baking. Between classes, dance, sports and an after-school job, Abby Martin makes time to bake up sweets for friends and family. She's also made time for the Food Network.
Martin first appeared on the fourth season of the "Kids Baking Championship" in 2018. She was runner-up on that season and was recently invited back -- this time as a judge for the special holiday show.
"I got to see all the behind the scenes that I never got to see as a contestant," Martin says. "And I got to sit at the judging table which is so fancy. It was so cool to be on the other side."
Martin flew down to tape the episode in Tennessee when another guest judge had to drop out, but the stress of an elevated position didn't faze the 17-year-old.
"I can say it's a lot less stressful. Nothing bad really happened, I just got to ear cake all day," she said.
Martin says she first applied to be on the show, hosted by star baker Duff Goldman, without telling her parents. She didn't expect to be selected and says it was surprise for her family to get the call from producers. To get another call from the Food Network, was an even bigger surprise.
"I got to see all the behind the scenes that I never got to see as a contestant," Martin said. "I got to sit at the judges table... it was so cool to be on the other side."
With five more seasons under the show's belt, Martin says she could tell the current contestants studied the past episodes and knew some tricks to give them an edge that she never had.
"They knew to grab the freeze spray so that way stuff wouldn't fall over if it was melting, and they just knew how to fix everything. I was so impressed," Martin says.
After graduation, Martin says she's looking to study engineering, which might come in handy with assembling cakes. She admits to looking closely at the kitchens in college dorms.
To watch an encore of Martin's episode, tune into the Food Network at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21st.
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