This season, a local contestant from Roanoke, Virginia is competing on the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship as one of the nine talented young bakers! 
Courtesy of Food Network
I’m from Roanoke, Virginia, so when I learned that an African-American student from Roanoke would be participating in the competition, I jumped at the chance to interview her. We talked on July 26, 2019.
Taylor Pusha is 12 years old and loves science and sports. She plays softball and soccer and also does cheerleading and gymnastics.
Her specialty is vanilla pound cake. She hopes to pass along this special recipe to future generations in her family. She can also make cookies, cheesecake, brownies, blondies, pies, eclairs, and so on!
Interview with Taylor Pusha about Food Network’s Kid Baking Competition
Question: Where do they film the show?
It was filmed in Los Angeles, my dream place to go. I got really excited when I found out that’s where the show was filmed because of all of the cool restaurants and malls.
Question: Where did you eat while in Los Angeles?
My favorite was a Chinese restaurant – at the mall. I had teriyaki chicken, shrimp and rice with my sister.
Question: How did you prepare for the competition?
Before I went to L.A., I would time myself and avoid using plain, regular flavors (like vanilla, chocolate or strawberry). I knew that wouldn’t be impressive. Instead, I needed to start thinking out of the box with flavors like lime, lemon, coffee, and other different flavors.
Question: Which challenge are you looking forward to in the competition?
I love making interesting and unique things like dessert pasta, nacho cake (which was super delicious), turkey cake for Thanksgiving or a steak cake for my Dad for a special occasion like his birthday or Father’s Day.
Question: We read that you make cookies, cheesecake, brownies, blondies, pies, and eclairs. And that your specialty is vanilla pound cake. What is your favorite food to eat?
Ice cream or any cold dessert. Strawberry cheesecake – because I love the combination of three flavors.
Question: What’s your favorite food to cook?
Shrimp alfredo – because Italian is my favorite type of cuisine and I love cheese.
Question: Is your family, church or community planning to host watch parties to support you during the competition?
Planning to do that on a Saturday at church – perhaps make cupcakes to enjoy while watching.
Question: How are you going to spend the rest of the summer?
I’m probably going to spend it with my friends and my sisters. My birthday is tomorrow, Saturday, July 27 – and we’re spending it at Myrtle Beach. We came to the beach last Saturday to celebrate my mom’s birthday and we’re leaving tomorrow. I’ll also be baking new desserts, maybe selling cupcakes, desserts, pies in my neighborhood.
Question: We read that if you win, you’re planning to buy new baking supplies and a brand-new doghouse for your puppy. What’s your puppy’s name?
His name is Turbo. It may seem like a weird name, but it perfectly describes him. He’s small but runs extremely fast. Turbo’s everywhere and will tear up things if he’s not supervised.
Question: Is there anything else you’d like us to share with our readers.
It was a fun experience. I had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people and have great experiences. It’s not something I’d ever think I’d get to do. And, I got to bake a lot.
Taylor said she’s going to win because she’s competitive and a great baker. If she wins, she’ll buy new baking supplies and a brand-new doghouse for her little puppy.
About Food Network Kids Baking Championship
Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman return to test the skills of nine new talented young bakers, ranging in age from 10 to 13, in difficult dessert challenges to see who will measure up in the competition. Only one will take the cake and the sweet grand prize of $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine, and the title of Kids Baking Champion!
About the first three episodes are:
- Splatter Up! challenge the nine young bakers to get creative and colorful. Cakes in assigned flavors like chocolate, red velvet and coconut are splattered with color
- Desserts to the Rescue! Challenge: the eight bakers to defend Bird Island or Pig Island in this round inspired by the Angry Birds 2 movie. Each baker makes a dozen cupcakes
- I Doughnut Know What to Think! Challenge: the seven young bakers to make a giant doughnut cake. Using Bundt cake pans, the bakers make a cake in an assigned flavor like strawberry or maple
Watch the season premiere on August 5, 2019, at 9 pm.
More links to local coverage about Taylor:
