Tri-Cities teen won ‘best baker’ for special brownie on Food Network. Then this happened
A Tri-Cities teen whisked, piped and iced his way onto Food Network’s 13th season of “Kids Baking Championship.”
Thirteen-year-old Jack Whalen then proceeded to wow judges with his yellow tang tart and hippo macarons, and even won “best baker” in week 5 for his layered brownie recipe with cinnamon cheesecake streusel.
But the following week, an under-baked and crumbly Smurfs-themed lemon cake and shortbread cookies turned out to be his Achilles’ heel, and Jack was eliminated from the competition.
The West Richland wunderkind placed seventh overall this season. The winner will receive $25,000, a feature story in Food Network Magazine and the coveted title of Kids Baking Champion.
But that’s not keeping him down.
“Of course it was sad, but I also made so many friends on the show,” Jack told the Tri-City Herald.
.jpeg "Contestant Jack Whalen’s dish, Hippo Macaron (1).jpeg")
Those new friendships he made while shooting in Los Angeles last summer also came with some priceless memories: Exploring the city’s eclectic bakeries and food scene; visiting the L.A. Zoo, Universal Studios and the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens; and of the healthy, spirited competition.
“Show-wise, it was great to be able to go there and do what I like to do on TV,” he said.
Episodes air 8 p.m. Mondays and are available on-demand the next day on streaming service Max. This week’s challenge will see contestants tackle colorful “terrarium trifles.”
The finale airs 8 p.m. Monday, March 3. It will see the top-three bakers dig deep for their most “zoo-inspired” cake before a winner is crowned.
What’s next for the Tri-Cities baking alum?
Jack says his family has been watching each episode of “Kids Baking Championship.” They watch it twice: Once when it comes out, then a few hours later with his cousins.
His family has been supportive of his time in the limelight. Dawn Whalen, his mom, says many people around the Tri-Cities have shared supportive posts on Facebook or made positive comments when they saw her at the store.
He also was featured on the February cover of Benton Rural Electric Association’s local magazine, “Ruralite.”
Jack still bakes plenty and continues to experiment with flavors. Over the weekend, he concocted lavender honey macarons and is planning to make pistachio rose macarons.
His family — which includes his two older siblings and father, Scott, who works as a scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — remain among his biggest supporters and enjoy his baking.
Jack says he formed close relationships with many fellow contestants, including Micah Parsons, of Stephenville, Texas; Ella Hayek, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Noah Azeez, of Ontario, Canada.
The contestants and their families still keep in touch today. Dawn Whalen says the moms are even considering a possible cast reunion this summer.
Jack, a seventh-grader at Three Rivers HomeLink, continues to follow his passions — which includes more than just baking. He’s also a cellist who enjoys playing chess and swimming with the Tri-City Channel Cats team.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Tri-Cities teen won ‘best baker’ for special brownie on Food Network. Then this happened."
