Sweet Magic: Charleston Pastry Chef Takes on Harry Potter Baking Challenge

Sweet Magic: Charleston Pastry Chef Takes on Harry Potter Baking Challenge!

Charleston, SC – If you’ve ever dreamed of mixing your love for baking with the magic of Harry Potter, then get ready for a delightful treat! Ashley Cardona, a talented pastry chef from Charleston, is stepping into the culinary arena as a contestant on the highly anticipated Food Network show, Harry Potter Wizards of Baking, set to premiere on Thursday, November 14 at 8 p.m. EST.

Meet Ashley Cardona

At just 30 years old, Ashley is making waves in the culinary world. Originally hailing from Thomasville, North Carolina, she moved to the charming streets of Charleston in February 2022 with her husband and two adorable children. When she got to Charleston, she took on the role of Executive Pastry Chef at Circa 1886, where she dabbles in the creation of modern Southern desserts. “We loved traveling to Charleston and were looking for a place to settle down and raise our kids,” she shares enthusiastically. “And as a pastry chef, Charleston is a great foodie city!”

From Little Chef to Culinary Artist

Ashley’s love for baking began in childhood, as she spent wonderful summers with her grandmother, mixing ingredients and watching the Food Network together. “We would bring them to life in the kitchen. It was super magical to me,” Cardona reminisces. After a blossoming childhood interest in art, she made the leap to become a pastry chef, honing her skills at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, where she earned credentials in pastry arts and hospitality management. Furthering her education, she even traveled to France to master the art of French pastries!

baking with Harry Potter Magic

Thanks to the wonders of social media, Ashley caught the attention of casting agents on Instagram, landing her a spot on the show alongside her baking partner, Kimberley Sweets Adams. This will be Ashley’s first foray into the world of television, and she couldn’t be more excited! “I was definitely a bookworm as a kid,” she recalls, reminiscing about the escapades of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. “I convinced my mom to take me to the midnight release at Barnes and Noble for one of the releases. I was a huge fan of the Harry Potter books as a kid, and of course, the movies. It’s very nostalgic for me.”

Bringing Harry Potter to Life Through Baking

On the show, which was filmed on the stunning sets at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios, Ashley and Kimberley are set to showcase their amazing baking talents by recreating iconic moments from the beloved series. “I wanted to bring iconic moments that spoke to me from books and movies to life,” Ashley explains. With a sprinkle of magic and a dash of creativity, her baking is bound to be impressive. “It was fast and furious, but I think we brought the magic,” she says with a smile.

Catch the Magic!

Be sure to tune in to Harry Potter Wizards of Baking on Thursday, November 14 at 8 p.m. EST on Food Network. Whether you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan or just love a good baking challenge, you won’t want to miss Ashley as she whips up some enchanting desserts right before your eyes!

Charleston’s very own baking superstar is ready to dazzle, and you won’t want to miss her sweet journey into the magical world of Harry Potter!