Next Great Baker (season 2) facts for kids

Thirteen bakers arrive to Lakawanna to start the competition, with the winner getting $100,000, a four-page spread in "Brides" magazine, and the chance to work with Buddy and his family at Carlo's Bakery. In the elimination challenge the bakers were divided into four groups and were given the task of creating one theme cake, which then had to be delivered to Carlo's Bakery. In the end, the fashionista cake lost because it fell apart while being unloaded. Sara was eliminated.

• Elimination: Sara

The elimination challenge was to construct life-sized cake versions of Buddy's sisters. All three cakes were disappointing, so Buddy had them bulldozed. Tony and Minerva were the bottom two at elimination. Buddy decided to send Minerva home, but changed his mind when she showed "passion and drive" by arguing to stay.

• Elimination: Tony

The bakers were split into three teams, each creating a wedding cake based on a specific theme. Jasmine was eliminated for her overconfidence and weak leadership.

• Elimination: Jasmine

In this holiday themed episode, everyone was split into three teams and were told to make a holiday cake for the Valastro's family Christmas party. Buddy felt all the cakes were good and deemed none of the cakes to be the loser, but that Wesley didn't have the experience necessary to continue on the show. He was eliminated.

• Elimination: Wesley

The bakers were challenged to make cakes that had mechanical elements. Minerva's team lost due to immature mistakes and a carousel that went so fast that Buddy said he would throw up if he was on it. Minerva was happy to be eliminated because she got to see her family; however, Buddy was so aggravated with Minerva's attitude that he closed the Not the Next Great Baker box truck himself.

• Elimination: Minerva

The bakers were divided into two teams to create cakes for a celebration at a zoo. It came down to Heather M. and Chad in the elimination room. Heather was eliminated even though Buddy thought she was very talented.

• Elimination: Heather M.

The bakers have to please a bridezilla who doesn't want an average wedding cake. In the end, the bakers were tricked by Buddy and the bride was an actress. It came down to Heather G. and Carmelo in the elimination room. Heather G. was eliminated, but informed by Buddy that "America loves you, and I love you."

• Elimination: Heather G.

The bakers have to make a birthday cake for Mauro, the twist is that it has to fit the theme of his heavy-metal birthday. The second day, Buddy declared that two would leave as he was angry about both cakes looking so unprofessional. Neither team won due to flaws in both cakes. Marissa, Nadine and Megan's cake had structural problems with their guitar headpiece falling over destroying the cake. While Carmelo, Chad and Ryan's cake had detail issues, and did not even have "Happy Birthday Mauro" on the cake, making Buddy wonder who the cake was for. Marissa and Ryan were both safe off the start. Carmelo was sent to the box truck first, leaving Chad, Nadine and Megan in the elimination room. Buddy asked Chad to be as strong as he is in elimination in the actual challenges otherwise he'd be the next out. Finally Buddy chose Megan to be the second to the box truck, but told Nadine to prove to him why she belonged there.

• Elimination: Carmelo & Megan

The bakers have to make a cake for Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella. She tells them a variety of her likes, and Buddy tells them to make a cake suited to her needs. At the four hour remaining mark, Buddy comes in and tells the competitors that they now have half the time, of only two hours. However, they would get a helper in the form of former team mates. Marissa was teamed up with Jasmine, Chad with Wesley, Nadine with Heather M., and Ryan with Carmelo. Alyssa spoke in good regards of Marissa and Nadine's cakes, but felt Ryan's cake represented her but only slightly, and lacked focus, while Chad's cake gave really only a representation of the pageant side but not her journey. Marissa and Nadine were told they move on to the finals, leaving Chad and Ryan in the bottom two. Buddy felt Chad did not live up to the challenge and was eliminated, although he did say his cake was "flawless".

• Elimination: Chad

This is a special episode that recaps the season up to this point, as well as provide a preview to the season finale that will follow. The special will also answer questions about the competition and its contestants, submitted by viewers. Clinton Kelly (of What Not to Wear) co-hosts the special with Buddy.

The first challenge requires the final three bakers to take over Carlo's Bakery and sell their own cookies, cakes, pies and Italian pastries to Carlo's customers. To keep track, each of the different items is worth a certain number of tickets. Each of the bakers receives a team of three, a sister, a baker and an assistant. At the end of the challenge, Nadine is announced as the winner, with Ryan being eliminated collecting the lowest number of tickets. The final challenge requires the final two to bake and design a cake that represents their American dream. They have the crew of Carlo's Bakery to help them due to the early time of 2:30AM they have to start baking. They brought their cakes in front of Buddy, Mary and special guest Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress. Marissa was announced the winner of The Next Great Baker, Season 2.

• Elimination: (1) Ryan, (2) Nadine
• The Next Great Baker: Marissa