Hillsborough Baker Is Youngest Ever To Compete On Food Network's Kid Baking Championship

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Eight-year-old Benjamin Steinhauser of Hillsborough has been baking since he was just two years old. Now his baking skills are being put to the test as he competes on Food Network's "Kid Baking Championship."

Steinhauser is competing against 12 other kid contestants, ages 8-11. He is the youngest child ever to compete on this show. Throughout the 10-week competition, the kids are tested in difficult-themed challenges.

"I was scared but it wasn't that challenging," said Steinhauser of the experience.

Steinhauser signed up for the show because he wanted to meet hosts and judges Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman and also make friends with fellow bakers.

"It's been a pretty wild ride, my husband and I and his big sister are so excited," said Steinhauser's mom Mandy. "It has been pretty awesome to see him go on this whole journey."

He began baking at a young age and learned most of his knowledge from his dad and cooking shows.

"When I started baking I was using box cake mix and premade icing. Now I make my own cake mix and especially my chocolate cake mix which has a secret ingredient," said Steinhauser.

Steinhauser wouldn't say if he uses his secret recipe during the show, but did say even his mom Mandy likes it.

"The funny thing is I don't even like chocolate but I will eat a full slice of his chocolate cake," said Mandy.

The 10-week competition kicked off on Monday, Dec. 27 with the first episode "Float Like a Butterfly." During the episode hosts and judges Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman asked the 12 kid bakers to pay homage to the transformation of the butterfly by making colorful carved butterfly cakes.

If you missed the episode a re-run will be aired on Monday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. before the new episode "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" will air at 8 p.m.

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