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It stands to reason that if you spend enough time around culinary people, you're bound to pick up a few pointers. That has certainly been the case for Jonathan Bennett, host of Food Network's "Cake Wars," which kicks off its second season Monday, Jan. 11. His two seasons alongside judges and pastry chefs Ron Ben-Israel and Waylynn Lucas, he says, have proven educational. "I get to go every day and learn so much," the 34-year-old actor says, "not just about cake but food and cooking in general because I've always been interested and wanted to be a better cook and get better at being able to cook at home. And just being around Waylynn and Ron and all these creative food people, you just learn a lot. You learn a lot about every aspect in the kitchen, just certain things that you probably wouldn't pick up normally." In each of the 13 Season 2 episodes, four master bakers go head-to-head to see whose cake creation will be the star of a major event and earn them a $10,000 grand prize. Many of the installments have movie or TV themes, and in Monday's opener, it's "Star Wars," appropriate enough given the recent release of "The Force Awakens." "What bigger theme on earth is there than 'Star Wars'?" Bennett says. "Nothing is bigger and I'm just so excited for 'Star Wars' to have come out and at the same time that we're going to be sharing our 'Star Wars' episode, so they're going to be on at the same time. So people can go see the movie in the theaters and then they can watch 'Cake Wars' on Jan. 11 and watch as our masterful cake makers turn 'Star Wars,' one of the biggest franchises of all time, into cake." As for whether that includes a creation in the shape of Darth Vader's head, for instance, Bennett isn't saying. But he will allow that, "there's definitely a lot of interesting concepts with the 'Star Wars' theme. There's definitely a light sabre fight in the middle of the show, so you'll have to pay attention for that." What book are you currently reading? "I am currently rereading 'The Four Agreements' by Don Miguel Ruiz." What did you have for dinner last night? "I had Thai food. I had Tom Kha Gai soup ... the chicken soup." What is your next project? "My next project is we go back for another season of 'Cake Wars.' ... I have 'Submerged,' which is out on demand right now, and it's an action thriller and it's my first foray into an action (movie) and it's really good. It's about a limo that's trapped under water and about the people stuck inside it. So it's really, really intense and it's really great. You can get it on demand and on Amazon. And then ... I'm in a bunch of episodes of 'Awkward' on MTV, which is coming out starting in January. So I come on and close out the season coming on to play Jenna's new boss." When was the last vacation you took, where and why? "I went to Mammoth Mountain (Calif.) and I went skiing." Food Network's 'Cake Wars' returns for Season 2 with a 'Star Wars' theme Jonathan Bennett BY GEORGE DICKIE Page 8 January 11 - 17, 2016 I FOUND IT! Whether you are looking for the latest garage sale bargain, a reliable car, a home or a new job. You are sure to find what you want in the classified section of … Nobody Covers Your Hometown Better! • Carpet • Vinyl • Ceramic Mon.-Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 9-1 65669 US 33 East • Goshen 642-4770 TOLL FREE 1-877-642-4770 Area's Largest Selection of Remnants Large Inventory of Carpet, Laminate, Vinyl, and Luxury Vinyl Tiles! OEC Super Buffet 4024 Elkhart Rd Goshen IN 46526 Tel: 574-875-1298 Elk Lunch Monday-Friday 11am-3pm Adult $7.25 Children 2 years old $1.99 3-6 years old $3.50 7-10 years old $5.00 *Saturday Lunch $7.75 Dinner Monday-Friday 3pm-9:30 pm Adult $10.75 Children 2 years old $2.99 3-6 years old $4.50 7-10 years old $6.00 *Sunday Dinner Price ALL DAY $10.75 SENIOR DISCOUNT 10% PRICE On or Off-Site Catering All Occasions Dine under the glow of gas lanterns Breakfast and Lunch Meals also available Open Tuesday through Saturday DON'T STAY DON'T STAY … IN THE DARK. CALL 574-533-2151 OR 800-487-2151 ext. 393 TODAY ! Start your newspaper subscription today and see the light. Stay up to date on all the latest business, entertainment, sports, local news and more!

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