SAN ANTONIO — A seventh grader from right here in the Alamo City has been crowned the new Kids Baking Champion on the Food Network.
Congratulations to 11-year-old Lila Smethurst, who is a student at Tex Hill Middle School in the North East Independent School District.
She said that she's been watching the Kids Baking Championship for as long as she can remember and still can’t believe she’s living out her dream of being on her favorite show. She started baking when she was just 5 years old.
“This experience has been an incredible blessing in every way,” said Lila in a district social media post. “As we are coming close to the show being over, I am feeling bittersweet. It has been so fun to watch the episodes back and have everybody watch along with me.”
Lila says she really appreciates all of the support she’s received from her friends, family, and community.
“I am so grateful for the way that my family, my friends, my school and the entire city of San Antonio have rooted for me during my time on KBC! I hope that I made everyone proud and that I represented the city well. This was definitely an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for my time on KBC and every moment thereafter!”
As the winner of the Kids Baking Champion title, Lila won $25,000 and a feature in Food Network Magazine.
It's not the first time a local baker has won big on the Food Network.
Back in December, Ashley Landerman, who co-owns 2Tarts Bakery at 139 North Castell Avenue in New Braunfels, outlasted 11 other competitors to claim the Holiday Baking Champion title for 2023.
Congratulations from all of us at KENS 5.
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members.
