Holiday Baking Championship 2025 E1762367233336 — The contestants of the Holiday Baking Championship on the Food Network (Rob Pryce / Warner Brothers)

Alabama chefs are starting to become a staple for cooking shows.

And that trend continued on Season 12 of the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship as Jeanna “Gia” Barnes got a chance to shine on the big stage.

While it was a short-lived experience for Barnes, she got to take in the opportunity and experience what it was like to see herself on TV.

“That was the biggest roller coaster of emotions I have ever experienced and I have been SO NERVOUS to be so vulnerable and for everyone to see me at my worst while also dealing with so much mentaI anxiety… I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been on this show and the exposure for the bakery that we have gotten. Being the first contestant for this show from Alabama, I hope that I haven’t disappointed y’all!”
Jeanna “Gia” Barnes on social media

Barnes was eliminated in the first episode of the season but she’s bringing her experience back to the Wiregrass where she runs the BSweet Dessert Boutique in Troy.

She follows in the footsteps of several Alabama chefs being on the big screen in the last two years including:

Keep reading to learn more about the show + how you can try some of Barnes’ sweet treats for yourself.

Holiday Baking Championship

In season 12 of the Holiday Baking Championship, host Jesse Palmer welcomed 12 of the best bakers from across the country to bring some festive cheer to judges Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown.

Each competitor had their eyes fixed on the prizes which include $25,000, a spot in Food Network Magazine and the title of Holiday Baking Champion.

In the first episode, Barnes created a Chocolate Coconut Mint Cake and a Cinnamon Orange Sugar Cookie. The judges had mixed reactions to the presentation and creativity to both dishes.

“Hindsight is always 20/20. It’s the first time I’ve been away on my own since my husband died. I couldn’t get my mental game right and it showed.”
Gia Barnes said during the episode

You can watch the full episode along with the rest of the season on HBO Max.