When it comes to deliciously themed cupcakes, confections and cakes, Sugar Rush is the place to be. The Netflix original series currently features two seasons, and on July 13th, the second season was released. Each episode has three rounds where four teams of two compete to win $10,000. 

Each team has three hours to complete the first two rounds. Their remaining time from those sections is added to their time for the third competition. In the first round, each pair is challenged to create a cupcake based upon the theme. Once finished, they proceed to evaluation where judges then deliberate and eliminate one team from the competition. This same process is followed for the second round of confections, where they make macarons, candy, tarts, and more. From there, the final two pairs begin the cake round. The judges then taste, critique, and select a winner.

Personally, I’ve always been a huge fan of baking television shows and Sugar Rush satisfies my needs. It’s fast-paced, creative and showcases talented bakers from across the country. My only issue is the striking similarity to Food Network’s retired program,Cupcake Wars. Viewers have compared Sugar Rush and Cupcake Wars, with Sugar Rush featuring a similar format and even one of the same judges, Candance Nelson. She recently spoke to the Orange County Register on the topic.

“We all agreed that what the world needs is a great dessert competition show and I wanted to attach it to Netflix,” Nelson said. “They’re the future. They loved the idea.”

Nelson’s involvement made sense, but I wish she had taken more risks with the program. Instead she chose to stick to the same format with minor twists like cakes instead of cupcakes and a varying time limit. 

Baking is a popular art that continues to grow from social media, and the entertainment industry is begging for more creative programs to bring this art to the masses. Although I’d recommend Sugar Rush, I hope something better is on the way.