Sacramento-area chef got love of baking from grandma. Now he’s competing on Food Network show
A Sacramento-area baker is going whisk-to-whisk with other top chefs on a spring-themed Food Network show.
Julian Perrigo-Jimenez, co-owner of Julian’s Patisserie and Cafe in Folsom and Roseville, is competing against 12 other bakers on “Spring Baking Championship” for the chance to win $25,000.
“To survive the challenges from week to week, the bakers must prove their abilities in front of expert judges by whipping up Mother’s Day brunches, family picnics, birthday party treats, wedding spreads and more,” according to the official Food Network description of the show.
“I’m here on ‘Spring Baking Championship’ to prove to myself that I am one of the top pastry chefs,” Perrigo-Jimenez said in a statement on the show’s website.
What is ‘Food Network show ‘Spring Baking Championship’?
Now in its 11th season, “Spring Baking Championship” is hosted by former professional football player and “The Bachelor” contestant Jesse Palmer.
The show transforms a simple baking studio into a “little shop of spring magic,” according to Stephanie Fiel, an Allied Global Marketing account executive representing the Food Network.
In each episode, which is divided into two rounds, contestants participate in seasonal baking challenges from video game-themed desserts to flower-themed baked.
Bakers must work fast to impress celebrity judges Duff Goldman, Kardea Brown and Nancy Fuller.
In the first round, the contestants must bake a dessert based on a specific theme. Winners gain a special advantage going into the next round.
The second round challenges bakers to make a larger and more complicated dessert.
At the end of every episode, the baker with the worst dish is eliminated while the others move on to the next episode
By the time the final episode of “Spring Baking Championship” airs, three remaining bakers will compete in the final challenge. The winner receives a $25,000 prize and is named the spring baking champion.
Who is Sacramento-area chef competing on TV?
A Sacramento-area native, Perrigo-Jimenez said his grandmother introduced him to baking at a young age.
“My grandmother was super passionate about baking, so I spent a ton of time with her doing it,” Perrigo-Jimenez said. “She had seven kids, so she was always cooking for everybody.”
Perrigo-Jimenez attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco at age 17, before spending stints working for a small French pastry shop, baking on cruise ships in Hawaii and whipping up confections in Las Vegas.
He eventually moved back to Folsom and opened his own business with his wife, Ashley Perrigo-Jimenez.
Julian’s Patisserie and Cafe serves up breakfast pastries, crepes, cakes and more at two Sacramento-area locations — at 6610 Folsom-Auburn Road, Suite 7, in Folsom and 1490 Eureka Rd. in Roseville. The Roseville location is currently being remodeled.
Perrigo-Jimenez shared he is happy to be in his hometown surrounded by love and support.
“I moved back to Folsom because the community here is so strong,” Perrigo-Jimenez said.
When the current season of “Spring Baking Championship” debuted on the Food Network on March 10, Folsom Mayor Sarah Aquino held a watch party at her house to show her support for her favorite baker, Perrigo-Jimenez said.
“If you grew up in this town, and now the mayor knows you are, I feel like that’s pretty cool,” Perrigo-Jimenez said. “Everyone’s really nice in the community and super excited to (see me) on national television.”
Perrigo-Jimenez is no stranger to Food Network shows, he said.
He competed on the second season of “Holiday Wars” in 2020.
Folsom bakery to host watch party
Perrigo-Jimenez said he’s hosting a “Spring Baking Championship” watch party at Julian’s Patisserie and Cafe in Folsom every Monday, and community members are welcome to attend.
Seats are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We’ll have a special dinner menu for the watch party, and we’re gonna have pizzas and pastas all handmade,” Perrigo-Jimenez said. “We’re going to be showing it there and hang out and (get) everyone getting together, especially people from the community.”
The next episode of “Spring Baking Championship” airs on Monday, March 17.
How to watch ‘Spring Baking Championship’
“Spring Baking Championship” airs at 5 p.m. Monday on the Food Network. Episodes can be streamed at the same date and time on Max and Discovery+.
