SCITUATE — For seven years, James Kukstis was a full-time journalist at Wicked Local, covering the South Shore and the restaurant scene. But when he wasn’t hustling to get a story in by deadline, he could be found donning his apron and making cookies for his side gig, Mr. Butterscotch.
Earlier this year, Kukstis was contacted by The Food Network about being a contestant on its show, “The Christmas Cookie Challenge,” hosted by Ree Drummond and Eddie Jackson. After a few phone interviews, a pair of at-home challenge tests (one for 90 minutes, the other for 2.5 hours) and a Zoom conference with producers, he was cast and flown to Los Angeles in June.
‘Holiday Wars’:Lexington baker to appear on Food Network
“I always wanted to do something like this,” said Kukstis, 35, who has been baking since he was a young boy and is self-taught. “I’m a bit of a ham and I’m very proud of the work I’ve done.”
“To get recognized by the people at this level was really surreal,” he said. “It was a real honor, a validation of all the work that I do with my cookies.”
A chef’s dream comes true
He still can’t believe it. But now that he’s seen the promo for the show, which airs Nov. 30, he knows it’s not just a dream.
Kukstis, who recently started a new position at WHDH-Channel 7, was worried he would be nervous on camera, but he prepared himself by embracing it and hamming it up.
“I had so much fun,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate and show off what you do. I wasn’t going to waste it. It was a rush, so fast, so hard, so much work.”
The time limits are real, he said. You’re working in a brand-new kitchen you’ve never been in before, with a lot of supplies and 10 cameras on you at once. And you must narrate as you go.
Kukstis’ appearance on “The Christmas Cookie Challenge” airs at 9 p.m. on Nov. 30 on The Food Network. He admitted it’s been hard to keep what happens on the show a secret.
‘Very loyal following’:Kelly’s Roast Beef opens first Mass. restaurant operated by franchise
The theme of the “Christmas Cookie Challenge,” Season 7, Episode 5, is “Out-of-This-World Christmas.” The challenge Kukstis and three other bakers faced was to decorate cookies that reveal what Christmas is like on other planets.
After the initial mission is completed, one cookie maker will be eliminated. In the final round, the three remaining bakers craft festive rocket ships worthy of taking Santa to the stars, and they’ll have to incorporate freeze-dried astronaut foods like corn, jalapeños, sweet potatoes and cranberries into their interstellar cookie displays.
The winner will walk away with $10,000 and the Golden Ornament.
“It wasn’t cut-throat,” Kukstis said. “We all had such a blast and we all cheered each other on.”
About Mr. Butterscotch
Kukstis started his side business, Mr. Butterscotch, in 2019.
“It really kicked in during the pandemic,” he said.
He focuses mainly on decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread houses. “I do custom orders, farmers markets and holiday markets,” he said.
When he was young, his mother hosted a gingerbread house decorating party for her friends and his friends.
“To this day, every year I host a gingerbread house decorating party, which is super fun,” said Kukstis.
After a long day of writing and interviewing people, he said baking gives him the opportunity to zone out into his own world of decorating and creating.
Watch ‘Christmas Cookie Challenge’
Tune in to the “Christmas Cookie Challenge,” featuring Kukstis on Nov. 30 at 9 p.m. on The Food Network. It will stream on Max beginning Dec. 1.