ON YOUR MARK... GET SET... BAKE!

CBS ANNOUNCES THE 10 AMATEUR BAKERS WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW REALITY SERIES "THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION," PREMIERING WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

Series Based on the Hit UK Format "The Great British Bake Off"

American Series will be Hosted by Comedian Jeff Foxworthy and Judged by Accomplished Chef Marcela Valladolid and Paul Hollywood, Star Baker and Current Judge of the UK Series

Amateur Bakers to Compete for a $250,000 Grand Prize and a Publishing Contract with Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books

April 2, 2013 - CBS announced today the 10 amateur bakers who will compete in the new reality series THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION, which premieres Wednesday, May 29 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION is based on the hit UK format turned worldwide phenomenon "The Great British Bake Off." The series has been a UK sensation and ratings juggernaut for three seasons and has also become a global hit in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Poland, with other countries set to adapt the series. The American series will be hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy (@foxoutdoors) and judged by accomplished chef Marcela Valladolid (@chefmarcela) and star baker Paul Hollywood (@Hollywoodbaker), who is also a judge on the British series.

The 10 bakers were chosen from a nationwide search of amateur bakers at local casting bake-offs. Proving the joy of baking's broad appeal, the six female and four male home bakers have varied lives and jobs, including a firefighter, photographer, homemaker, attorney, advertiser, home health care provider, college student, retiree, project manager and a baking enthusiast trying to go pro.

Each week, THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION will feature these passionate home bakers competing in three unique challenges - "Signature Bake," "Technical Bake" and "Showstopper Bake." The contestant who out-bakes the rest is that week's "Star Baker," while the one whose creations fail to impress is eliminated. The final challenge will be between the three remaining contestants, one of whom will go on to be crowned the best amateur baker in America and win the $250,000 grand prize. The winner will also be awarded a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster to publish their own cookbook with Gallery Books.

The confirmed bakers of THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION are:

Name: Whitney Appleton Beery
Age: 21 Current Residence: Lubbock, Texas (Originally from Castle Rock, Colo.)
Occupation: College Student
Baking Specialties: Cupcakes, cakes and scones

Name: James Reddick
Age: 26 Current Residence: Hollywood (Originally from Indianapolis, Ind.)
Occupation: Photographer
Baking Specialties: Pies, cookies and pastries

Name: Francine Bryson
Age: 44 Current Residence: Pickens, S.C.
Baking Specialties: Pies, cakes and quiche

Name: Jeremy Cross
Age: 35 Current Residence: San Diego, Calif.
Occupation: Firefighter
Baking Specialties: Cookies, cakes and pies

Name: Darlene Pawlukowsky
Age: 51 Current Residence: Johns Creek, Ga.
Occupation: Project Manager
Baking Specialties: Cakes and cookies

Name: Elaine Francisco
Age: 63 Current Residence: Claremont, Calif.
Occupation: Retired
Baking Specialties: Breads, pies and cakes

Name: Brian Emmett
Age: 43 Current Residence: Itasca, Ill. (Originally from Glendale Heights, Ill.)
Occupation: Owner of a Marketing/Advertising Company
Baking Specialties: Breads, pies, cookies, savory baked goods and pastries

Name: Kolette Biddle
Age: 30 Current Residence: Norco, Calif.
Occupation: Home Health Care Provider
Baking Specialties: Cookies, pies, cakes and tarts

Name: Carlo Fuda
Age: 35 Current Residence: Stamford, Conn. (Originally from Elwood City, Pa.)
Occupation: Social Marketing Consultant
Baking Specialties: Zeppole, cheesecake and cupcakes

Name: Effie D. Sahihi
Age: 40 Current Residence: Henderson, Tenn. (Born in Israel and raised in Winter Haven, Fla.)
Occupation: Attorney
Baking Specialties: Cakes, tarts and breads

THE AMERICAN BAKING COMPETITION is executive produced by Richard McKerrow and Jay Bienstock and produced by Love Productions Ltd.

Official CBS Website: http://www.cbs.com/shows/american-baking-competition

Official Twitter: @BakeOnCBS