NJ Baker Competes on Food Network’s Next Baking Master: Paris

Food Network Next Baking Master: Paris, Season 1. hosts Stephanie Boswell and Ludo Lefevbre
Credit: Food Network

Spoiler free! A local New Jersey baker is among 10 competitors participating in the first season of Next Baking Master: Paris. Shot on location in the spectacular City of Lights and hosted by acclaimed pastry chef Stephanie Boswell and French-born chef and restaurateur Ludo Lefebvre (both shown above), Food Network’s newest culinary competition, Next Baking Master: Paris, gives 10 ambitious and highly-skilled American bakers unprecedented access to the most iconic pastry shops, as well as mentoring from renowned French baking experts.

The show premiered on May 6, and new episodes are available to stream via apps like MAX and Discovery Plus each week. The series demands that competitors prove their mettle in the pillars of great baking and pastry:

  • Technique
  • Artistry
  • Flavor
  • Innovation
  • Inspiration

Each week, the lowest performing baker is sent home, until one is named the Next Baking Master.

Joe Settepani (Morganville, NJ) and the rest of the contestants on Next Baking Master: Paris, Season 1.
Contestants Robert Toland, Lindsay Miller, Cedrick Simpson, Keely Moore, DeAndra Bailey, Brooke De Jong, Jennalyn Walbolt, Paige Nickless, Joe Settepani, Jeremy Intille, as seen on Next Baking Master: Paris, Season 1. (Credit: Food Network.)

”From walking the banks of the Seine to gain inspiration for romantic chocolate desserts to exploring the Paris farmers’ markets with their bountiful and fresh produce, viewers will experience this incredible city though the eyes of our competitors,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery.

The Contestants

The 10 bakers competing for bragging rights, a full suite of France’s top-of-the-line professional kitchen appliances. and baking equipment valued at $25,000 are:

  • DeAndra Bailey
  • Brooke De Jong
  • Jeremy Intille
  • Lindsay Miller
  • Keely Moore
  • Paige Nickless
  • Joe Settepani
  • Cedrick Simpson
  • Robert Toland
  • Jennalyn Walbolt

“This Paris experience is a once-in-a-lifetime dream for the chefs,” said Boswell. “As a professional pastry chef, I know the inspiration they received by visiting the city’s most renowned patisseries and meeting the supremely talented experts was life-changing for these up-and-comers.” 

Added Lefebvre, “Though my culinary career and restaurants brought me to the United States more than 20 years ago, I was born, raised and grew up as a chef in France. It’s so cool to now welcome these competitors to Paris to live and breathe the amazing baking and pastry culture the city offers—it’s the best in the world. I am so excited.”

Meet Morganville, NJ’s Joe Settepani  

Next Baking Master: Paris, Season 1 includes Joe Settepani of Morganville, NJ
Credit: Kevin Baker for Food Network

Baking is in Joe’s blood. He grew up in the bakery his parents opened 45 years ago, after they moved from Sicily to the United States. In high school, he had no interest in joining the business. But after a sports injury, Joe began shadowing his pastry chef father and fell in love with the craft. He went on to attend the Culinary Institute of America and now proudly runs the family bakery, Bruno’s NYC, located in Freehold, NJ. And Paris holds a special place in this dad-of-two’s heart: It’s where he and his pastry chef wife honeymooned.

You have a chance to try the pastries Joe creates on the show too! Each week, Bruno’s will offer the pastries from the current week’s episode starting the Wednesday after the episode airs and available through that Sunday. Miam!