Jason Biggs Hosts Netflix’s ‘Blue Ribbon Baking’ Show: ‘Attractive Pie’ Insight

You might wonder how “American Pie” star Jason Biggs ended up hosting Netflix’s “Blue Ribbon Baking Championship.” The answer might seem obvious, considering Biggs is firmly attached to the imagery of pies through his role in the 1999 comedy “American Pie.” That iconic scene with the apple pie helped launch a series of four major films.

Biggs, now 46, is synonymous with pies. Even though he grew up in New Jersey, which isn’t exactly known for traditional state fairs akin to those glorified in the Netflix baking show, he epitomizes the pie-loving persona.

“The New Jersey State Fair takes place in the Giants Stadium parking lot. That’s not what people think of when they picture a state fair,” Biggs explains. “The Jersey Shore was my state fair growing up.”

Biggs, a self-proclaimed “food guy” with a mean banana bread recipe, is no stranger to hosting roles. He has been building his hosting credentials, including his stint on TBS’s “Dinner and a Movie” series alongside his wife, actress Jenny Mollen, since 2008.

“I’ve really wanted to host something in the food world,” Biggs says. “There’s a kind of wink to the camera with me as a baking show host. And whenever I can’t think of something to say, I always have a pie joke in my back pocket that brings the house down.”

In Netflix’s “Blue Ribbon Baking Championship,” viewers find more than just pies. Ten state fair blue ribbon winners from across the nation compete for a whopping $100,000 prize and the ultimate “Best In Fair” blue ribbon.

Biggs provides comic relief and charm as the co-host, showcasing unexpected skills like juggling and catching tossed food in his mouth. However, he does not serve as a judge alongside the show’s expert panel, which includes lifestyle expert Sandra Lee, former White House pastry chef Bill Yosses, and baking artisan Bryan Ford.

Although Biggs inspects and comments on each creation during the Judge’s Choice ribbon segment, his role is limited to being a cheerful presenter. “I had to try everything, so at least I knew what was happening,” Biggs notes. “After the judges did their thing, I went back to try everything.”

The pie jokes are almost inevitable, given Biggs’ history with “American Pie.” It takes no time at all for the show’s introduction to feature Biggs making a cheeky comment about an appetizing slice of pie. “Take it from someone who knows,” he quips. “That is a very attractive pie.”

However, Biggs stresses that the baking contest only includes harmless pie jokes without any R-rated antics. “There were no pies harmed in the making of this show,” he assures. “It’s safe for family viewing.”

Episodes of “Blue Ribbon Baking Championship” feature various state fair delights. From fried Oreo cake to dessert-on-a-stick episodes, the show highlights a variety of creative fair foods. Among them, a strawberry cake from episode two particularly stands out for Biggs. “That strawberry cake blew my mind,” he recalls.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of “American Pie,” which debuted in theaters on July 9, 1999. Biggs marked the occasion with a celebratory Instagram post. He recalls the surreal experience surrounding the movie’s release, including a star-studded premiere and audience reactions in sold-out theaters.

“I had to fly the night of the premiere on a red-eye to New York for ‘Letterman’ the next day. It was surreal and wild,” says Biggs. “On the Friday night of the release, a bunch of the cast and crew went to see audience reactions in packed theaters. I remember being floored by how responsive everyone was.”

The morning after the release, Biggs and his roommate experienced another unexpected moment of fame. “A car screeched to a halt, and the driver rolled down his window and said, ‘Oh my God! You’re the ‘American Pie’ guy, do the dance!'” Biggs recalls. “It was wild.”

Interestingly, his wife Jenny Mollen hadn’t seen “American Pie” until years into their relationship. “We were flipping through channels and stopped to watch,” says Biggs. “She just commented on how young I looked, but I guess I didn’t scare her off.”

For Biggs, “American Pie” remains a significant milestone in his life. “My life is defined by a few different points: getting married, having kids, and of course, Life Before ‘American Pie’ and Life After ‘American Pie.'”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jason Biggs knows ‘attractive pie’ hosting Netflix’s ‘Blue Ribbon Baking’ show

Source: USA TODAY