Abigail and Kenneth Wolf of Geneseo made it into the Food Network’s Baking Championship: Next Gen semifinals Monday night.

They, along with three other sibling pairs, will compete next week in round eight, taking them closer to the winning round that will crown one pair as the baking champs.

Spending much of the summer of 2025 in Bakersfield, California, filming the series, the brother and sister will tell you that it was an enjoyable experience that made them lots of new friends. What they can’t, or won’t tell you, is whether or not they won. If they do, they will receive a $25,000 prize.

In the meantime, their journey can be viewed on the Food Network every Monday night. Watching from their home in rural Geneseo with parents Erica and Dan Wolf, and sister Lucy, they can relive the fun and excitement of being part of a very popular program.

The challenge on the recent Feb. 16 episode was all about size and scale.

Judges Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown explained that both a big dessert and a small dessert were expected.

“The older sibling must make a big dessert,” said Duff” while the younger must create a small one.”

The teams were required to make their creations complement each other, but they were not to physically assist each other in their preparations. “Encouraging words and basic suggestions were okay, but hands off anything else,” said Goldman. “Everyone has to do it on their own.”

This could be an obstacle for some of the younger siblings, who depend on the older ones’ direction and assistance. And in some instances, the older sibling shared their anxiety about how the younger one would do without their help.

Kenneth, however, announced, “I bake all the time by myself. I can do this!” Sister Abigail rolled her eyes as she said, “Yes, I know. I live with him.”

During the whole season, love of family has been a part of the Wolfs’ baking. Making their great-grandmother’s cherry cake, layered with cherries and enhanced with cinnamon, was Abigail’s “big dessert” choice. It was to be covered with a cream cheese frosting and decorated with fondant cherries and fancy piping of red, white and green.

Kenneth chose to make cherry tartlets filled with cherry pastry cream and drizzled with chocolate. Judge Goldman asked him if his entry would be for “redemption,” as an earlier entry by the two featured a large cherry tart that did not meet the siblings’ or the judges’ expectations. “Maybe a little redemption,” said the 10-year-old. “But it’s time I get to prove myself. And this might be it.”

There can always be problems during the competition, but the bakers have learned to change course and roll with it. This time, Abigail did not prepare enough of the cream cheese frosting, so the sides of her cake showed through to the outside. However, her piping around the top and the edges garnered high praise from the judges, and she was given kudos for the quality of her sponge cake.

Kenneth had trouble getting his tartlet filling to thicken, but quickly reversed course and put together a tasty, whipped cream to cover carefully measured spoonfuls of cherry compote that fit nicely into his 12 golden tart shells. During a later interview, Abigail admitted that it was hard not to help her little brother. “It kills me that I couldn’t step in and help him,” she said. “But thanks to him, I’ve become a more patient person.” A quick hug from him showed that all was well between the two.

He also had an issue with his drizzle, as it had hardened in the container. “Run!” his sister shouted, and he quickly sped to the microwave, with barely five minutes left on the clock. When Judge Duff asked, “How’s it going?” the young baker simply shrugged his shoulders, adding his signature smile to the gesture.” Back in time to complete the colorful drizzles and arrange them neatly on the tray, the two were ready for the judges.

His tartlets were deemed to be very attractive, and the two were given high praise for how well the two desserts fit together. Judge Duff liked how the small tarts tasted but felt that they were just a tad too thick. The two left the judging area with a cautious, but hopeful attitude.

In addition to showing their baking skills, the judges praised all of the teams for their ability to work together. “Communication and trust are both very apparent,” said Judge Brown.

During the final moments of the show when the teams learn who stays and who goes, the judges have to make hard decisions. “We’ve watched all of you long enough to know you are capable of doing great things in the kitchen,” said Duff. “But sadly, one team has to go.”

For Abigail and Kenneth, it was a stay. They made the cut and will be back next week to share their culinary skills in the semi-finals with their growing fan base.

Episode #8 will air next Monday night, Feb. 23, on Food Network’s Baking Championship: Next Gen. Make it your sweet spot for viewing.