Two Weeks With Julian: From Spring Baking Championship Baking Battles to Chosen Family
Being on Spring Baking Championship was an unexpected dream come true. Out of nowhere, I suddenly had 12 new people in my life—and we were being put through the most for national TV. And when I say "the most," I don’t even mean it in a bad way. But what y’all see on TV takes hours to film.
There were 13 of us in total, all doing tastings, judging, and trying to hold it together on set. Then, after filming, it was just us again—crammed in our shared holding room, full of snacks and a couch that lowkey eats you if you sit too long. We were all full of anxiety, looking like deer in headlights.
After we wrapped each day, we only had each other. Nobody else could really understand what we were going through. Julian and I would meet up in the garden at the end of the day to just let it all out.
When you get home, it’s like coming back from war. You’re living with this weird kind of PTSD, and the only people who truly get it are the ones who were there with you. Julian, myself, and a few others went through our own versions of post-show depression.
It didn’t matter how long you stayed or if you won—it was over. The world went back to normal, but you’re stuck living for the moment it airs.
Sometimes you dread it. Like, OMG, everyone’s gonna see me f up. The longer you’re on the show, the more chances there are to have a bad bake.
So in July, Julian and I spent two weeks together.
Week one: Desert Hot Springs—and a time was HAD! It was 110 degrees and I was like, is this HELL? They said, “At least it’s not 120,” and I was like, CELSIUS?! 😂
It was pool, food, and party all day.
Then we headed back to Julian’s home in Folsom.
I spent time with him, his family, the dogs and cats, and celebrated his nephew’s birthday. I got to see him be Uncle Julian—which hit me in the feels. I know that life—being the one making the cake for the party, all eyes on you.
I spent my days at the shops, getting content, eating everything. And I mean everything. It was all so, so, SO good.
Honestly, when I go back, I might skip hugging Julian and run straight into the arms of that damn cinnamon roll made with laminated croissant dough.
Now, we’re a force to be reckoned with.
We’ve spent the year developing concepts for content and shows we want to produce ourselves.
Our TV competition days? They’re turning into TV hosting days.
It’s only up from here.
We all took a risk. We leaped. And somehow, our worlds collided in the best way.
We bonded over the lives we’ve lived, the things we’ve overcome.
Julian’s wife? That’s my sister from another mister—we connect hard.
Those two weeks together, plus our days off during filming, were heavenly.
We’re building a chosen family.
And being there, seeing what Julian has created? I was so proud.
He even pays extra for the insurance policies to make sure his staff gets the good stuff.
Julian isn’t just a pastry chef.
He’s a man, a father, a husband, and an agent of change, love, fun, and positivity.
I Love Yall! Are you in Folsom? Lets have some fun!
CLICK THE PIC FOR RSVP PAGE
