Bake Like a Champ with Renee Loranger

Q: What inspired you to want to be a contestant on Food Network’s Halloween Baking Championship?

I’m a “foodie” in every sense and have been watching Food Network since it began. I have always wanted to be on one of the shows—well, all the shows really! I applied a few times to Cake Wars and Halloween Wars, and then I applied for the baking championships. When Halloween Baking Championship called me, I was more than excited! I love Halloween (almost as much as Christmas)!

Q: What do you find most exciting about creating Halloween-themed baked goods?

The possibilities are endless. You can do cute, cute-scary, scary, gory—really, anything! There are a ton of characters to choose from for inspiration. Plus, this is my favorite time of year weather-wise. And it’s my birthday month. October really is the best month of the year.

Q: Since winning the competition, you’ve opened your own bakery, Sugar Pop Baking Co. What has been your favorite part of running your own business?

I’ve been baking now for so long, I always wanted to branch out and do it for myself. My favorite part is that it’s mine! I walk in every morning, look at my pink walls, turn on my ’80s music and bake for me. I bake the things I want to bake. I do something different all the time and I have fun!

Q: Do you have any Halloween traditions?

My Halloween traditions are carving pumpkins with my kids and decorating for Halloween on September 1, so the season lasts as long as possible.