All of the Spring Baking Championship contestants have good odds, but we believe that Derek Corsino has the best chance of winning. Natalie Soto, Keya Wingfield, and Derek are the top three, and all are ready to take on the finale. They have a chance to win $25,000. So, why Derek? It's about his past experience in cooking competitions. He also has the determination to learn from previous mistakes.
This has been an unusual year for the show, starting with a scoreboard that ranks the bakers based on their performances. Lorraine Pascale was unable to film the 2021 season owing to pandemic travel restrictions. Kardea Brown has replaced her, showing a bubbly and supportive side. Her personality is a hit with viewers. Some very promising candidates like Laurent were eliminated too soon due to tiny mistakes. The rules have changed and that makes the story much more suspenseful.
Going through the contestants, each is a very strong baker. As host Ali Khan has pointed out before (sadly eliminating Veruska for the crime of making a spring city block that lacked the New York feel that was intended), everyone has shown they have chops. Veruska may have even stayed if she had put in a Bronx staple like a yellow taxicab. The final challenge will determine who wins the title of Spring Baking Champion, as well as the money that could fundamentally change their lives, Actually, it might not change their lives. It depends on the baker in question, as shown by a look at past winners.
Derek is the most likely winner, owing to his experience and attitude. In 2013, this frontrunner was previously on Sugar Dome, another Food Network show. He potentially has the most to gain by showing the world that he can win this competition. Derek is also cheerful, a little snarky when he's given difficult flavors, and perky. Any time he has been shunted to the bottom two, he has spent the next round going the extra mile. Duff Goldman even commented, "You really hate being in the bottom?" after seeing that Derek had made an elaborate chocolate decoration. He's got maximum incentive to pull out his best skills for the finale, and either go big or go home.
With that said, the other two bakers are still in the running. After all, they made it this far and want to see it through to the end. Each baker is creative, good with flavors, and has a keen eye for decorating. Viewers are rooting for them to show off their best skills.
Keya is someone who is as sweet as her baked goods. She also is tougher than she looks, accepting constructive criticism and delivering on ingredients. During the Holi challenge to commemorate an Indian holiday involving colors (Keya is Indian), she absolutely nailed the challenge, She won the preheat, as well as an advantage for the St. Patrick's cake theme. Whenever an opportunity strikes, Keya is willing to take it while giving a fair chance to her competitors. She's a good sport and a great baker.
Natalie is a baker that prides herself on her decorating skills, as well as confirming the show's themes. She may joke that the stress from meeting the challenge makes her sweaty and stressed, but when the time comes to present, she is always ready to defend her works with a smile. Natalie also admitted that she had turned down a previous opportunity to compete in 2019, owing to the fact that her business Sweet As Love technically features home baking, as she runs it out of her personal kitchen. No matter who wins, it has been a strong season for Spring Baking Championship. Viewers can't wait to see the end.