Ep 7. Pedal to the Medal

In "Next Great Baker" season 1, episode 7, titled "Pedal to the Medal," the competitors face a unique challenge as they are tasked with creating a cake inspired by NASCAR. Host Buddy Valastro challenges the bakers to create a high-speed, eye-catching cake that captures the essence of the sport.

The episode begins with the bakers reflecting on the previous challenge, in which they were tasked with creating a graduation cake. The mood in the kitchen is tense as the competitors know that only six of them will remain after this round. With this pressure on their minds, the bakers must stay focused and deliver a show-stopping cake.

Buddy visits the competitors in the kitchen to introduce the challenge, and he brings along a special guest – NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. The bakers are thrilled to meet the racing legend and are even more excited to learn that their cakes will be judged not only on appearance but also on taste.

Deciding on the design for their cakes proves to be a challenge for some of the bakers. Some choose to focus on recreating a specific aspect of the sport, while others opt for a more abstract approach. Despite the wide range of ideas, all the bakers understand that their cakes need to have the power to impress both the judges and the NASCAR fans.

As the bakers work on their cakes, things in the kitchen start to heat up. Contestant Derek is struggling with his fondant, while Heather, who has been consistently excellent throughout the competition, admits that she is feeling the pressure to deliver something worthy of her previous success. Meanwhile, Megan is creating a special element for her cake – a working racetrack made entirely of cake – which is both impressive and risky.

With only a few hours left in the challenge, the bakers are racing against the clock. As they assemble their cakes, the judges arrive. Buddy is joined by two NASCAR officials, and together they analyze each cake carefully. The focus is not only on the visual appeal, but also on the flavor and texture of each slice.

The judges' feedback is mixed, with some of the cakes receiving high praise while others fall short. Excitement builds as the judges tally the scores and announce the winner. The baker with the best cake is rewarded with a special surprise from Tony Stewart – a private tour of the NASCAR racetrack.

As the episode comes to an end, the competitors reflect on their performance and what they have learned from this challenge. For some, it was a chance to push themselves creatively, while others were reminded of the importance of paying attention to the smallest details. With only a few episodes left, the pressure is on for the remaining bakers, but they are determined to continue baking their hearts out in pursuit of the title of the Next Great Baker.