Local bakery owner a contestant on Food Network's 'Next Baking Master: Paris'

Paris is a long way from Freehold Township, but Joseph Settepani made the trip for Food Network's "Next Baking Master: Paris."

Settepani, co-owner of Bruno's Bakery & Gelateria in Freehold Township, is one of 10 contestants on the eight-episode baking show, which premiered in early May. He has baked his way through four episodes of the competition, which is hosted and judged by pastry chef Stephanie Boswell, and chef and restaurateur Ludo Lefebvre.

The show, according to Food Network, "gives 10 ambitious and highly skilled American bakers unprecedented access to the most iconic pastry shops, as well as mentoring from renowned French baking experts." One baker is eliminated each week, and the winner will receive $25,000 worth of "France's top-of-the-line professional kitchen appliances and baking equipment."

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Settepani, of the Morganville section of Marlboro, is a pastry chef who trained at The French Pastry School in Chicago and brought his family's Staten Island bakery business to New Jersey in 2022.

After each episode, Bruno's Bakery & Gelateria serves the desserts Settepani made on the show. So far, his competition dishes include honey mousse with peach compote, figs and pistachios; chocolate mousse cake with pears and chocolate sponge; tropical cream-filled petit fours; plum tarte tatin; apricot jasmine tea bonbons and coffee crème brulée bonbons; chocolate-ricotta entremet; apple pie swirl (a mix of apple pie and Danish); cream puffs; and panna cotta.

Two other New Jersey bakers also appear on the show: Jennalyn Walbolt of Union and Robert Toland of Willingboro.

"Next Baking Master: Paris" airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on Food Network.

Go: Bruno's Bakery & Gelateria is at 356 W. Main St., Freehold Township; 732-301-5126, brunosnyc.com.

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Next Baking Master: Paris: Bruno's Bakery owner competes on show