Watching someone crumble on national television is usually uncomfortable. But when it happens in a kitchen filled with buttercream and tinsel, it's basically a holiday tradition. Season 11 of the Food Network hit delivered exactly that kind of high-stakes drama. If you missed the finale or just need a refresher on the chaos, here is the lowdown on who won holiday baking championship 2024.
The Underdog Who Topped the Professionals
Steven Levitt. That is the name you’re looking for. Honestly, his win was a bit of a shocker to the "pro-only" crowd. Steven isn't a career pastry chef or a high-end bakery owner. He’s a self-taught home baker from Aurora, Ontario.
He beat out a field of seasoned professionals to snag the title. It wasn't just about the $25,000 prize or the feature in Food Network Magazine. It was about proving that a guy who started baking in his kitchen in 2015 could stand toe-to-toe with people who have been doing this for decades. He’s a "fun-loving guy" who claims he bakes because you can’t make someone smile by handing them a bowl of steaming broccoli. Fair point, Steven.
How the Finale Went Down
The finale was a total roller-coaster. Going into the final episode, we had five bakers left: Steven, Rolf Runkel, Rafi Dekrmnjian, Natasha Aschoff, and Jer Barrios.
The Pre-Heat Pressure
The first challenge was all about hard candy flavors. Rolf, the "professor" from Calgary, absolutely crushed this. He made a blueberry and passion fruit entremet that looked exactly like a blueberry hard candy. The judges—Duff Goldman, Nancy Fuller, and Carla Hall—were floored. Rolf won the Pre-Heat and got a fast pass straight to the final Main Heat.
The Eggnog Elimination
The other four had to fight for their lives in a "Main Heat" before the actual final Main Heat. The theme? Eggnog. This was a bit of a disaster for almost everyone.
- Steven actually had the best of the bunch here. His textures were on point.
- Rafi made something visually stunning, even if the flavor was a little quiet.
- Natasha went way too sweet and a bit messy.
- Jer focused too much on coconut and forgot the eggnog.
Jer was sent home, leaving us with our final four: Steven, Rolf, Rafi, and Natasha.
The Gingerbread House That Wasn't Gingerbread
The final-final challenge was a doozy. Host Jesse Palmer told them they had to build a "gingerbread house" made of cake. No gingerbread flavor allowed. Plus, they had to stick to a specific architectural style.
- Rafi got the Tudor style. It was precise. It was clean. The judges liked it, but thought the chocolate was a bit too dominant.
- Natasha took on a Castle. She used a "burn away" reveal that was a total "wow" moment, though some of her decorations felt a bit rushed.
- Rolf got Mid-Century Modern. Ironically, the guy who had been the front-runner all season struggled here. His design lacked the sharp, geometric precision needed for MCM, even if the hazelnut and raspberry cake inside was "sublime."
- Steven was assigned the "Cozy Cottage."
Why Steven Actually Won
It came down to heart and execution. Steven’s cottage was exactly what the judges wanted to see. It captured the "spirit" of the holidays. While the pros were overthinking their structures, Steven leaned into the charm. His old-fashioned chocolate cake was a massive hit.
The coolest part? Steven actually thought he had lost. Partway through the bake, things were going wrong. He told reporters later that he basically gave up on winning and decided to just have fun because it was his last time in that kitchen. That shift in mindset—letting go of the stress—is probably what allowed him to finish so strong.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Season
A lot of fans on Reddit and social media thought Rolf was robbed. He was technically the most consistent baker of the season. But the Holiday Baking Championship isn't a cumulative award. It’s "winner take all" on the final day. If you don't nail that final cake, the rest of the season doesn't matter. Steven nailed it when it counted.
Also, a shoutout to Rafi. During the finale, Steven was struggling with his frosting, and Rafi actually stepped in to tell him how to fix it by adding cold butter. That’s the kind of sportsmanship you rarely see in reality TV.
Where is Steven Now?
Life hasn't changed too much for the Canadian champ. He hasn't quit his day job to open a mega-bakery. He still runs his own business (unrelated to baking) and teaches at a tech center. However, he did start a pop-up and bakery venture called Brûlé Bakery in 2025. He’s also become a bit of a local celebrity in Aurora—he says he gets recognized at the mall all the time now.
Actionable Takeaways for Baking Fans:
- Don't over-complicate: Steven won by sticking to a "cozy" theme that tasted amazing rather than a complex architectural feat that missed the mark.
- Master the Basics: His "old-fashioned chocolate cake" was the hero. You don't always need exotic flavors if your base is perfect.
- Recovering from "The Crumble": When things go wrong in the kitchen, stop stressing about the result and just focus on the process. It worked for the 2024 champ.
If you’re looking to watch the journey yourself, the entire season is currently streaming on Max. It's worth it just to see the "burn away" cake in the finale.