Fast N' Loud car star Richard Rawlings will be back on TV this spring, not to talk shop with a bunch of gearheads but to critique cakes on the Food Network.
Rawlings and several other TV stars will serve as judges on Buddy vs. Duff, a six-week dude bake-off premiering on March 10. Expect to see Dallas man Rawlings on that first episode.
The show pits Buddy Valastro of Cake Boss against Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes for the ultimate title of "king of cake." Each episode will include a bake-off and a cake-off, designed to first show technique, then creativity. For longtime Food Network stars, you might already have a favorite: the Carlo's Bakery guy or the Charm City Cakes guy. But Buddy vs. Duff wants to settle that battle.
"Never before have these two baking icons gone head-to-head in a competition, until now," notes Food Network president Courtney White in a statement.
As for Rawlings, he does not appear to have much cake-baking experience. He's the man behind Gas Monkey Garage and a Discovery Channel star — and one of Dallas' most recognizable TV celebrities despite his "regular dude" personality. He has nearly 3 million followers on Facebook.
Buddy vs. Duff will be anchored by chef judges Sherry Yard and Keegan Gerhard. Other celebrity judges include Christina Anstead from Flip or Flop and magicians Penn & Teller. Cake themes range from Bollywood to bridal, and given Valastro's and Goldman's histories, expect these cakes to be big. Complicated, too. They're just dealing with flour and fondant, but still: They aren't cakes most of us make at home.
We'll know who wins, Valastro or Goldman, on the finale on April 14.
Buddy vs. Duff airs Sundays on Food Network starting March 10 at 8 p.m.
