The spooktacular baking competition that defines the Halloween season is back for more frightful fun! “Halloween Wars” returns for its highly anticipated fifteenth season, premiering on Food Network on September 21, 2025. The beloved series pits five talented teams against each other in a spine-tingling battle of skill, creativity, and nerves. Each team is a trio of experts: a master pumpkin carver, a skilled cake decorator, and a brilliant sugar artist (candy maker). Together, they must collaborate under intense pressure to create mind-blowing, Halloween-themed edible displays that are both terrifying and technically perfect, all in the hopes of avoiding elimination and winning the terrifyingly grand prize.

Guiding the teams and striking fear into the hearts of contestants are the show’s iconic panel of experts. The charismatic Jonathan Bennett returns to helm the chaos as host, while acclaimed pastry chef Shinmin Li and Food Network star Aarti Sequeira reprise their roles as judges. They are tasked with the deliciously difficult job of critiquing the teams’ monstrous creations, evaluating them on taste, technique, and overall Halloween spirit. Get ready for a season filled with ghoulishly great cakes, petrifying pumpkin carvings, and chillingly creative candy work.

Halloween Wars Season 15 complete cast 2025

1: Jonathan Bennett as Host

The effervescent and charming Jonathan Bennett returns to his role as the host of “Halloween Wars,” bringing his signature energy and enthusiasm to the spooky competition. Best known for his role in Mean Girls and as host of numerous Food Network shows like Cake Wars, Bennett is the perfect master of ceremonies for this Halloween extravaganza. He thrives in the chaotic environment, engaging with the teams to get the inside scoop on their creative processes, delivering the challenging themes with dramatic flair, and providing much-needed comic relief during the most stressful moments.

Bennett’s role is crucial as the bridge between the competing teams and the viewing audience at home. He translates the complex techniques and high-pressure situations into an entertaining and accessible narrative. His genuine excitement for the holiday and his supportive demeanor towards the contestants make him a beloved figure on the show. He keeps the energy high and the competition moving, ensuring that every episode is as fun to watch as it is intense for the participants.

2: Shinmin Li as Judge

The incredibly talented pastry chef and sugar artist Shinmin Li returns to the judges’ table, bringing an unparalleled level of expertise in cake decorating and sugar work. As a renowned cake artist and competitor herself (having won Food Network Challenge), Li possesses a deep, technical understanding of the immense skill required to pull off these edible masterpieces. Her critiques are always insightful, precise, and focused on the finer details of structure, design execution, and the difficulty of the techniques attempted.

Judge Li is known for her high standards and her keen eye for both brilliance and error. She doesn’t just judge the final product; she appreciates the journey and the problem-solving that goes into it. Her feedback is invaluable to the teams and the audience, often explaining why a certain element succeeded or failed from a construction standpoint. She represents the pinnacle of artistic and technical achievement in the field, demanding that the creations are not only scary but also structurally sound and beautifully finished.

3: Aarti Sequeira as Judge

Food Network star and beloved personality Aarti Sequeira returns as a judge, offering her unique perspective that balances culinary taste with vibrant storytelling. As the winner of The Next Food Network Star and host of Aarti Party, Sequeira brings a focus on flavor and overall thematic impact. While the displays must be visually stunning, she consistently reminds everyone that they must also be delicious to eat. Her judging often centers on how well the story of the challenge was told through the medium of food.

Sequeira’s warmth and humor bring a wonderful balance to the judging panel. She is able to deliver constructive criticism with kindness and empathy, understanding the emotional rollercoaster the contestants are on. Her expertise ensures that the “treat” in “trick-or-treat” is never forgotten, advocating for bold flavors and a cohesive sensory experience that matches the terrifying visuals. Together with Shinmin Li, she provides a comprehensive evaluation of each creation, from its technical bones to its flavorful heart.

The Real Stars: The Competing Teams

While the host and judges are the familiar faces, the true stars of each season are the competing teams of pumpkin carvers, cake decorators, and sugar artists. These are the incredibly skilled professionals who pour their passion and expertise into every challenge. The pumpkin carvers transform simple gourds into intricate sculptures with delicate tools. The cake decorators build gravity-defying structures and cover them in flawless fondant. The sugar artists create transparent, glass-like details and haunting figures from boiling sugar.

Their collaboration is the heart of the show’s drama and magic. Under extreme time constraints and the pressure of a national television audience, they must merge three distinct art forms into one seamless, terrifyingly awesome display. Their personalities, conflicts, and triumphs drive the narrative of each episode. They are the artists who make the impossible seem real, and their breathtaking, edible nightmares are the reason viewers tune in season after season.