Bristol County boy who started own baking business shines on Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship

Superintendent Lisha Cabral and Easton Middle School Principal Luke Carroll are pleased to share that sixth-grade student Jason Chan recently competed on Season 11 of ‘Kids Baking Championship’ on Food Network.

Season 11 of ‘Kids Baking Championship,’BIZ KIDS, features a dozen child entrepreneurs, aged 10-13, all competing for the grand prize of $10,000 and the title of Kids Baking Champion. Throughout the season, contestants compete in baking challenges, each featuring a unique business twist.

Chan’s fascination with baking began when he was as young as 3 years old. Home videos feature Chan as a toddler attempting to bake in the family kitchen. At age 6, Chan began watching ‘Kids Baking Championship’ on Food Network and continued to follow the series, watching each season and eagerly awaiting his opportunity to apply.

In the later months of 2020, Chan started his business, JJ’s Kitchen, and began making baked goods for family, friends and neighbors. His most popular items are carrot cake, chocolate chip cookies, fruit tarts and madeleines.

Chan shares his passion for baking — and has shared his creations — with his teachers at Easton Middle School as well.

“Jason gave me some of his homemade peppermint bark as a holiday gift, and it was so, so good,” said chorus teacher James Cook. “I am so happy for Jason and all of his success!”

“Jason comes to class every day fully prepared and with a positive attitude,” said Spanish teacher Alyssa DaSilva. “He talks about baking at home with his friends in my class all the time.”

Added science teacher Erin Daley, “Jason is a wonderful student and such a joy to have in the classroom. He is a hard worker with a caring heart. I am beyond proud of everything Jason has accomplished and cannot wait to see his business flourish.”

In December 2021, Chan completed an online application to compete in Season 11 of ‘Kids Baking Championship.’ Soon after, in March 2022, he received word from Food Network that they wanted to interview him. In June, following a three-month casting process with thousands of other applicants, Chan received word that he was one of 12 bakers chosen to compete on Season 11 of ‘Kids Baking Championship,’ BIZ KIDZ.

“Since I was 6 years old, I’ve been watching ‘Kids Baking Championship’ and dreaming about competing on the show. Our family would watch every episode together and I kept picturing myself on KBC and baking in that amazing kitchen, and then something crazy happened — I made it onto the show,” said Chan.

Season 11 premiered on Dec. 26, 2022. The first challenge of the season required competitors to showcase their most popular dessert using the psychology of color, during which Chan impressed the judges with his fruit tart dessert.

Through the following weeks, Chan completed a variety of baking challenges that tested both his business knowledge and baking skills. During his time on the show, Chan won the KBC “Smashing Success” challenge, where the bakers smash up two desserts and come up with a name in hopes of it going viral and staying in the competition. Chan won the challenge after presenting the judges with his pannacotta upside-down layered dessert.

Chan competed through Jan. 24.

“I made it halfway through the competition, won a KBC challenge and met some awesome new friends and 11 baking buddies for life,” Chan said. “Thank you to all my family and friends for supporting me and thank you Food Network for giving me this awesome opportunity. Since I’m only 12 years old, I know the best is yet to come. But it’s going to be hard to beat this incredible experience. Follow your dreams they really can come true.”