'ULTIMATE CAKE OFF' Returns to TLC With George Duran As Host

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 -- TLC today announced that ULTIMATE CAKE OFF returns to the schedule for its second season, starting February 1, 2010 at 10 PM ET/PT. Joining the series as host is chef, TV personality and author George Duran, bringing expertise and energy to the hit culinary competition series.

Margaret Braun, an acclaimed sugar artist based in New York, and Leigh Grode, owner of Los Angeles' Cake Divas bakery, return as judges.

"George is a great addition to the ULTIMATE CAKE OFF team, and one of the 'secret ingredients' we've added to make the second season even better than the first," explained Nancy Daniels, SVP of Production & Development, TLC.

"As a chef, I think cooking should always be fun--and I can think of no better way to express that than through the creations the ULTIMATE CAKE OFF contestants cook up each week," said George. "I hope to help the bakers navigate each crazy challenge, and let the viewers at home share in all the fun we're having. It's gonna be sweet!"

Each of ULTIMATE CAKE OFF's eight hour-long episodes pits three different cake artists against each other as they create edible masterpieces in hopes of winning $10,000 and having their cakes featured at a marquee event. With only nine hours, these competitors must make cakes that are at least five feet tall and are creative enough to win the taste of the client and take the prize. To add to the pressure, the contestants also face two mini-challenges - a skills test and a taste test - that could give one team the ultimate advantage: being able to sit out another team for 30 minutes.

This season, cakes will be created for events ranging from the 75th anniversary of the Griffith Observatory to a sweet 16 birthday party.

George Duran is a New York City-based chef and entertainer. Author of Take This Dish and Twist It, released in 2008, he previously hosted Ham on the Street and The Secret Life of..., on Food Network. Since the fall, George Duran has served as the spokesperson for Hunt's tomatoes on the Crash Kitchen Tour integrated marketing campaign. Duran was born and raised in Venezuela, the son of Armenian immigrants.

ULTIMATE CAKE OFF is produced for TLC by Discovery Studios. Executive producer is Robin Feinberg. The series is currently in production in the Los Angeles area. The series fan site is http://tlc.com/tv/ultimate-cake-off/ultimate-cake-off.html.

About TLC

TLC's innovative docu-series and reality-based programming include favorites Jon & Kate Plus 8, Little People, Big World, What Not to Wear, 18 Kids and Counting, Say Yes to the Dress, and LA Ink. TLC added to its menu of programming with Cake Boss and Ultimate Cake Off, and continues to expand into the food genre. TLC's daytime lineup includes the Emmy Award-winning A Baby Story. The channel is available in more than 98 million homes in the US, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and through the website at www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications ( DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries.