Aditya Pillutla, a 12-year-old from Cary, is among the tweens and teens showing off their baking chops and vying for the top prize - $25,000, a feature in Food Network Magazine and the title of Kids Baking Champion. The 10-episode show premiered this month and features the kid contestants, ages 10 to 13, tackling various confectionary challenges, including sweet dessert pizzas using traditional savory pizza toppings and "out-of-this-world desserts" with freeze-dried ingredients. The grand finale is slated for 9 p.m., March 5, on the Food Network channel.
As the country is watching the show unfold, I checked in by email with Aditya to learn more about the experience. Here's a Q&A:
Go Ask Mom: Have you always been baking? How old were you when you started and what do you love about it?
Aditya Pillutla: I have been baking since I was around nine years old. I picked it up from watching videos online and watching Food Network shows. What I love about baking is the technique that is used, and the fact that you can experiment with so many different flavor combinations and methods.
GAM: What part of baking do you love the most and why - trying new things, experimenting, perfecting a favorite recipe, eating?
AP: The part of baking that I like best is experimenting with it and perfecting complicated recipes. You can be really creative in what you do with baked goods, and that makes them more tasteful and flavorful.
GAM: What was it like walking into the show's kitchen for the very first time?
AP: Walking into the set of Kids Baking Championship for the first time was amazing. It was really cool to use all the pantry ingredients and equipment that were available for the first time. In addition, we did not have to clean up or do the dishes!
GAM: Which Food Network stars have you had the opportunity to meet? What was that like?
AP: I met Duff Goldman and Valerie Bertinelli. It was amazing to see them in person and talk to them. It is a big honor when they compliment my dishes, and It was overall a great experience.
GAM: What are your plans for the future? How will baking be a part of it?
AP: When I grow up, I aspire to be a doctor, and volunteer for organizations that would take baked goods. I volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House for Duke Children’s Hospital in Durham. I could even start a business later on, if I wanted to.
Best wishes, Aditya!
