NEED TO KNOW
Christmas came early! A new gingerbread competition series is coming to Magnolia Network and Food Network — and PEOPLE has a first look.
Oliver Hudson will host Gingerbread Land: The Biggest Little Holiday Competition, premiering on Monday, Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. “When you see the scope and the artistry of what these bakers are doing, it’s pretty awe-inspiring,” he teases to PEOPLE. “I mean, it’s just amazing.”
Chip and Joanna Gaines produce the series — which sees top gingerbread bakers compete in four challenges to build edible worlds from scratch (lights, motion and all). Joanna, 47, also serves as the finale’s guest judge.
Courtesy: Magnolia Network
Pastry chef, Gale Gand and architect and professor, Michael Ford, are the regular judges, and episodic judges also include celebrity stylist Brad Goreski, chef Christina Tosi and actress D’arcy Carden.
Oliver, 49, was perfect for the hosting gig as he’s “always loved the holiday season” and still celebrates with mom Goldie Hawn, sister Kate Hudson and brother Wyatt Russell. “Our family traditions are not separate. You know, they are all together,” he says. “Kate doesn’t have her own Christmas. I don’t have my own Christmas. Wyatt doesn’t have his own Christmas. We’re all together. We had to find partners that understood that, and luckily, we did.”
The Happy Gilmore 2 actor “couldn’t help” but have a favorite creation crafted during Gingerbread Land even if he’s “not supposed to pick favorites as the host,” he jokes.
Courtesy: Magnolia Network
A seaside wonderland really caught his eye. “I’m an ocean guy. I love boats,” he says. “I love the energy that I get from the ocean, and this was like a Christmassy seaside New England town that just had so much charm and so much feeling to it that I connected to that build immediately.”
Viewers will surely have their own favorites. “Gingerbread Land is all about joy, fun, and a sense of wonder,” Joanna added in a press release. “It’s a chance for families to gather, cheer on their favorite creations, and be inspired by the beauty and playfulness of the season.”
Gingerbread Land: The Biggest Little Holiday Competition premieres Monday, Nov. 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Magnolia Network and Food Network. Episodes stream the next-day on HBO Max and discovery+.
