In episode 7 of Season 11 of the Spring Baking Championship, Kari Cota faced challenges that ultimately led to her exit from the competition. Struggling in both the Pre-Heat and Main Heat tasks, Cota’s baking journey on the show came to an end.
Kari Cota serves as the Executive Pastry Chef at Pendry San Diego, where she showcases her baking skills. Her experiences and culinary achievements are documented on her Instagram account, @pastry_chef_kari_cota.
Her path to becoming a pastry chef was unconventional, marked by a significant career transition that brought both formal training and hands-on experience into her baking repertoire. The show provided viewers with insight into her unique background and expertise.
All About Kari Cota from Spring Baking Championship Season 11
Challenges Faced in Episode 7
During episode 7, contestants were challenged with two baking tasks. In the Pre-Heat, bakers had to create a citrus roll cake featuring an imprint design and magical creature decoration. Many competitors struggled with execution, and Cota’s roll cake was criticized for its overall toughness. Although this round did not lead to immediate eliminations, it factored into the judges’ evaluations.
The Main Heat introduced the bakers to a new challenge of making macaron cakes infused with vegetable flavors, further complicated by a last-minute twist that required the inclusion of Fresno chili peppers. This unexpected change posed additional hurdles, leading to complications for several bakers, including Cota.
Despite remaking her initial batch due to technical difficulties, Cota’s final product did not meet the necessary texture standards. Consequently, after performing poorly in both rounds, she was eliminated from the Spring Baking Championship.
Who Is Kari Cota?
Kari Cota’s professional role as the Executive Pastry Chef at Pendry San Diego is rooted in extensive culinary training. She holds certifications from the National Culinary and Baking School, as well as training from the California Culinary Academy–Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco.
Her impressive career encompasses a range of roles, including a position with Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego, where she collaborated with notable chefs like Jeff Jackson and John Harmeier. Interestingly, prior to embracing her culinary passion, Cota worked at the County of San Diego Sheriff’s Department, an experience that contrasts sharply with her later career in baking.
Cota’s love for baking ignited in her grandmother’s kitchen and was later reignited after watching pastry chef Gale Gand on Food Network. Before joining Pendry San Diego, she served as Executive Pastry Chef at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla.
Notably, Kari has been sober for over seven years, a factor she cites as instrumental in her participation in the show and a significant part of her personal growth journey.
Engaging with Her Audience on Instagram
Kari Cota actively shares her culinary adventures and details about her time on the Spring Baking Championship through her Instagram account, @pastry_chef_kari_cota. On March 12, 2025, she expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her time on the show:
“What a day, what a day. Thank you everyone for cheering me on. Let’s see what happens next week.”
Encouraging her followers to tune in, Cota reminded them about the upcoming episodes. On March 22, 2025, she posted:
“Is everyone ready for the 3rd episode? I know I am!!! Join me at 5pm Monday, March 24th at Nason’s Beer Hall at Pendry Hotel to watch the 3rd episode of the #springbakingchampionship.”
On March 29, 2025, she shared a heartfelt moment with her daughter, portraying resilience and perseverance:
“I took her with me today to show her that it’s ok to stumble and fall as long as you get up swinging.”
Don’t miss new episodes of the Spring Baking Championship every Monday at 8 PM ET on Food Network, with episodes available for streaming the following day on MAX.