The Truth About Carolyn Portuondo From Spring Baking Championship

Now that spring has sprung, Food Network is airing "Spring Baking Championship" Season 8. This year, the show is hosted by Molly Yeh, and judged by Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Kardea Brown, all familiar faces (via Distractify).

But what about the contestants? As usual, the season starts off with twelve talented bakers from around the United States, from New York City, NY, all the way to Honolulu, Hawaii. In each episode, the bakers go head to head in baking battles reminiscent of spring. So far this season, we've seen fruit tarts, Mardi Gras king cakes, and pies (via Food Network). Yum.

Although we're nearly halfway through the season already, it doesn't hurt to take a deeper look at the contestants. After all, we want to know who has what it takes to stick it out to the end and win the $25,000 prize! Let's get to know Carolyn Portuondo, the baker from Honolulu. 

After earning her BA in chemistry at the University of Colorado, Carolyn Portuondo went on to the Culinary Institute of America (via LinkedIn). Following her success there, Portuondo went on to work as a pastry cook.

In 2007, she opened her own bakery, Caked Las Vegas, which catered for local resorts. During this time, Honolulu Magazine says, Portuondo was featured several times on TLC's "Fabulous Cakes." In 2014, she accepted a position at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu. For nearly four years, Portuondo worked as the hotel's executive pastry chef, until she moved on to work a similar position at a Disney-owned resort and spa called Aulani, according to her LinkedIn.

She currently lives in Honolulu with her children. According to Food Network, "she enjoys using various ingredients inspired by Hawaii and her Japanese heritage in her baking." One thing's for sure — we can't wait to see what creative dishes she bakes up this season!