Halloween Wars is an American reality competition series that premiered on October 2, 2011 on cable television network Food Network. The show has several teams of three (a cake sculptor, a sugar artist, and a pumpkin carver) that compete to create a Halloween themed display. The last trio standing is awarded $50,000 For season 13 onwards, the winning team is awarded $25,000.
Series overview SeasonEpisodesFirst AiredLast Aired14October 2, 2011October 23, 201124October 7, 2012October 28, 201234October 6, 2013October 27, 201344October 5, 2014October 26, 201454October 4, 2015October 25, 201565October 2, 2016October 30, 201675October 1, 2017October 29, 201785September 30, 2018October 28, 201895September 29, 2019October 27, 2019105September 13, 2020October 11, 2020Special3October 2, 2017October 16, 2017
Season 1 (2011)
Teams Team Tarantula - Susan Notter (sugar), Andrea Carusetta (cake), Michael Natiello (pumpkin)
Bling Bats - Karen Portaleo (cake), Julie Bashore (sugar), Shawn Feeney (pumpkin)
Team Boo! - Ray Villafane (pumpkin), Andrea Reed (cake), Jansen Chan (sugar)
Skulls of the Abyss - Cory Hansen (cake), Chris Maniac (pumpkin), Louise Chien (sugar)
Something Wicked - Pam Leno (pumpkin), Ruby Carlsruh (sugar), Becky Rink (cake)
Episodes
Season #Episode #Episode TitleOriginal AirdateJudgesShinmin Li Miles Teves
Jaime KingSmall Scare Challenge: Create a witch. The winners were Bling Bats. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a haunted location and incorporate edible spiders. The winners were Team Boo!
Eliminated Team: Team TarantulaShinmin Li Miles Teves
R.L. StineSmall Scare Challenge: Each team got a stuffed animal (teddy bear, kitty, duck, & rabbit) and had to create its monstrous counterpart. The winners were Bling Bats. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a creepy version of a classic fairy tale and incorporate a tasty treat for some visiting trick-or-treaters. The winners were Bling Bats.
Eliminated Team: Something Wicked
Special Note: Sugar artist Julie Bashore from Team Bling Bats quit her team following an argument in the first episode. She was replaced by Susan Notter from previously eliminated Team Tarantula.Shinmin Li Miles Teves
Rob ZombieSmall Scare Challenge: Create an edible skull in honor of Dia de los Muertos. The winners were Bling Bats. (Instead of an extra assistant, they got first pick of the pumpkin patch.) Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a scene depicting zombies versus vampires and incorporate gooey, edible ooze. The winners were Bling Bats.
Eliminated Team: Skulls of the Abyss
Special Note: Cake artist Andrea Reed from Team Boo! quit her team due to the pressure she suffered in the second episode. She was replaced by Becky Rink from previously eliminated Team Something Wicked.Shinmin Li Miles Teves
Scout Taylor-ComptonSmall Scare Challenge: Create a ghost. The winners were Team Boo! Spine Chiller Challenge: Create an interpretation of the underworld and incorporate a spicy treat. The winner of the $50,000 was Team Bling Bats.
Eliminated Team: Team Boo!
Season 2 (2012)
Teams No Guts No Gory - Gonzuela Bastarache (cake), Doug Goodreau (pumpkin), Dana Herbert (sugar)
Dead Men Walking - Marc Maniac (pumpkin), Richard Ruskell (sugar), Vinny Garcia (cake)
Paranormal - Ruby Carlsruh (sugar), Ray Brown (pumpkin), Leigh Henderson (cake)
Morbid Mayhem - Andy Bergholtz (pumpkin), Peggy Tucker (sugar), Barbara Garrard (cake)
Screamish - Charity George (cake), Dean Murray (pumpkin), Darci Rochau (sugar)
Episodes
Season #Episode #Episode TitleOriginal AirdateJudgesShinmin Li Tom Savini
Shawnee SmithSmall Scare Challenge: Create either a ghoul or a goblin. The winners were Dead Men Walking. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a creepy clown display and incorporate a circus peanut based sweet. The winners were Dead Men Walking.
Eliminated Team: No Guts No GoryShinmin Li Tom Savini
Rutina WesleySmall Scare Challenge: Create a personal interpretation of the Grim Reaper. The winners were Paranormal. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a scene with a vampire verses a vampire killer and incorporate a bloody candy treat. The winners were Dead Men Walking.
Eliminated Team: ScreamishShinmin Li Tom Savini
Chaske SpencerSmall Scare Challenge: Create something scary that could be lurking behind a door. The winners were Morbid Mayhem. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a monster caused by science gone wrong and incorporate a crazy candy fit for a mad scientist. The winners were Morbid Mayhem.
Eliminated Team: ParanormalShinmin Li Tom Savini
Sara CanningSmall Scare Challenge: Create a representation of claustrophobia/being trapped. The winners were Morbid Mayhem. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a zombie wedding and incorporate an oozy, edible wedding favor. The winner of the $50,000 was Team Dead Men Walking.
Eliminated Team: Morbid Mayhem
Season 3 (2013)
Teams Twisted Trio - Veronique de Groot (cake), Robert Childers (pumpkin), Heather Hurlbert (sugar)
Black Magic - Jeff Ontiveros (sugar), Sarah Ono Jones (cake), Gabriel Viñas (pumpkin)
Skeleton Crew - Jon Neill (pumpkin), Mark Lie (cake), Santosh Tiptur (sugar)
Psychotic Misfits - Brian Stevens (cake), Dave Smith (pumpkin), Teresa Shurilla (sugar)
Crypt Creepers - Sue Beatrice (pumpkin), Robert Lombardi (sugar), Benny Rivera (cake)
Episodes
Season #Episode #Episode TitleOriginal AirdateJudgesShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Danielle HarrisSmall Scare Challenge: Create a glow-in-the-dark Devil. The winners were Black Magic. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a scene where zombies invade a prom and incorporate a confection that would appeal to the undead. The winners were Crypt Creepers.
Eliminated Team: Twisted TrioShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Tony ToddSmall Scare Challenge: Create an Ancient Greek mythological monster. The winners were Black Magic. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a scene from a classic nursery rhyme with a gruesome twist and incorporate a children's treat with a surprise flavor. The winners were Skeleton Crew.
Eliminated Team: Crypt CreepersShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Charlaine HarrisSmall Scare Challenge: Create a technological device revolting against its owner. The winners were Psychotic Misfits. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create what lurks underneath the surface of a swamp and incorporate a gooey, swamp-like treat. The winners were Psychotic Misfits.
Eliminated Team: Skeleton CrewShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Derek MearsSmall Scare Challenge: Create a possessed pet. The winners were Black Magic. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create something inspired by a personal nightmare and incorporate a horrifying, sweet treat. The winner of the $50,000 was Team Black Magic.
Eliminated Team: Psychotic Misfits
Season 4 (2014)
Teams Corpse Crushers - Jon Neill (pumpkin), Kyle Miller (cake), Briea Nathan (sugar)
Dead Reckoning - Jonathan Barwood (pumpkin), Mary Moy (sugar), Leigh Henderson (cake)
Sweet Nightmares - Robert Lombardi (sugar), Gonzuela Bastarache (cake), Cassie Wollen (pumpkin)
Malicious Intent - Teresa Shurilla (sugar), Danny Lane (cake), Ray Brown (pumpkin)
Spooktacular - Benny Rivera (cake), Rebecca Millican (sugar), Danny Kissel (pumpkin)
Episodes
Season #Episode #Episode TitleOriginal AirdateJudgesShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Naomi GrossmanSmall Scare Challenge: Create a hungry troll. The winners were Dead Reckoning. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a haunted farm scene and incorporate a jam-filled sweet that looks like a bug. The winners were Corpse Crushers.
Eliminated Team: Malicious IntentShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Adi ShankarSmall Scare Challenge: Create a zombie child's doll. The winners were Sweet Nightmares. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a creepy forest scene and incorporate a seemingly innocent treat. The winners were Dead Reckoning.
Eliminated Team: Spooktacular
Special Note: Pumpkin carver Cassie Wollen from Team Sweet Nightmares left the competition for personal reasons. She was replaced by Ray Brown from previously eliminated Team Malicious Intent. Shinmin Li Brian Kinney
Francia RaisaSmall Scare Challenge: Create an evil, possessed toy. The winners were Corpse Crushers. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a battle scene depicting mummies versus werewolves and incorporate a unique take on the classic moon pie dessert. The winners were Corpse Crushers.
Eliminated Team: Dead ReckoningShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Lew TempleSmall Scare Challenge: Create an interpretation of a snake pit. The winners were Sweet Nightmares. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a haunted carnival and incorporate a sweet treat on a stick. The winner of the $50,000 was Team Corpse Crushers.
Eliminated Team: Sweet Nightmares
Season 5 (2015)
Teams Scream Team - Adam Bierton (pumpkin), Robert Teddy (cake), Darci Rochau (sugar)
Gore Mayhem - Heidi Trelstad (cake), Rocio Varela (sugar), Dean Murray (pumpkin)
Morbid Morticians - Rebecca Wortman (sugar), Renay Zamora (cake), Doug Goodreau (pumpkin)
2 Ghouls and a Guy - Diane Fehder (cake), Jeff Munchell (sugar), Bridget McCarty (pumpkin)
Spell Binders - Joseph Yakovetic (pumpkin), Charity George (sugar), Kristen Lovulla (cake)
Episodes
Season #Episode #Episode TitleOriginal AirdateJudgesShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Robin Atkin DownesSmall Scare Challenge: The teams had to make a representation of one of the seven deadly sins. (Sins chosen: Gluttony, Lust, Gluttony, Pride, & Wrath.) The winners were Scream Team. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a scene depicting a creepy infestation and incorporate a treat with a surprising texture. The winners were Morbid Morticians.
Eliminated Team: 2 Ghouls and a GuyShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Benjamin PapacSmall Scare Challenge: Create a horror scenario involving a mirror. The winners were Gore Mayhem. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a hybrid creature that is half man, half monster and incorporate a confection that combines two classic desserts into one. The winners were Scream Team.
Eliminated Team: Morbid MorticiansShinmin Li Brian Kinney
Bex Taylor-KlausSmall Scare Challenge: Create the Devil's child. The winners were Gore Mayhem. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a scene where a grave robber digs up a sickening surprise and incorporate a "dirt" dessert. The winners were Scream Team.
Eliminated Team: Gore MayhemShinmin Li Brian Kinney
ElviraSmall Scare Challenge: Create a voodoo doll. The winners were Scream Team. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a scene from an undead dinner party and incorporate a sweet treat for the dinner table. The winner of the $50,000 was the Scream Team.
Eliminated Team: Spell Binders
Season 6 (2016)
Teams Crypt Cookers - Teresa Argeris (sugar), Jason Reaves (cake), Lenny Calvin (pumpkin)
Sugar Psychos - Al DiBartolo (cake), Santosh Tiptur (sugar), James Hall (pumpkin)
Food Phantoms - Ray Brown (pumpkin), Chris Davies (sugar), Kimberly Hall (cake)
Scare Squad - Gus Smithhisler (pumpkin), Darmayne Robertson (cake), Joshua Simpson (sugar)
The Underbakers - Jewel Johnson (sugar), Erin Erler (cake), Jeremy Smith (pumpkin)
Sweet Screams - Angela Sweetser (sugar), Tersey Bolin (cake), Chad Gainey (pumpkin)
Episodes
Season #Episode #Episode TitleOriginal AirdateJudgesShinmin Li Don Mancini
ElviraSmall Scare Challenge: Create the selfie from Hell. The winners were Sugar Psychos. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a modern day scene of a witch versus a warlock and incorporate an edible "witch's brew". The winners were Sugar Psychos.
Eliminated Team: Scare SquadShinmin Li Don Mancini
Sid HaigSmall Scare Challenge: Create Medusa with a scary new hairdo. The winners were Food Phantoms. Spine Chiller Challenge: Create a haunted motel scene and incorporate a treat inspired by road food. The winners were Sugar Psychos.
Eliminated Team: Food PhantomsShinmin Li Don Mancini
Carlson YoungSmall Scare Challenge: Create a killer plant from Hell. The winners were Crypt Cookers.