The Holiday Baking Championship on the Food Network is exactly like every other baking reality show in existence; a bunch of 30 somethings, making baked goods for the chance to win an insane amount of money. The show itself was frustrating as fake drama was being made over who stole whose baking equipment and the contestants panicking about their desserts not looking ugly enough.

The most recent episode was all about making pastries that are inspired by ugly holiday sweaters. I thought it was interesting that the judges wanted to see an ugly food, considering the presentation of the food is usually a key component. The contestants were anxious about the challenge as their profession is all about making their baked goods pretty and decadent and not ugly or mismatched.

In my opinion, this challenge was not well thought out, as the bakers were left scratching their heads about how to make something ugly and not unappetizing.

According to the judges, many of the contestants went too out of the way for the decor aspect of the challenge, as opposed to the baking and flavor.

Matt, the winner of the challenge, made a candy cane shaped gingerbread cookie. It was described as the best cookie the judges have ever had, but to me, it just looked boring and unimaginative.

Other contestants made tarts, cakes and even doughnuts that seemed more aesthetically pleasing than a two-dimensional cookie that any grandma can make. Though I could not taste the desserts, it did not look like the pastry that deserved the win, especially since the ingredients were so unoriginal.