Juan Gutierrez, a celebrated pastry chef and Chicago resident, is set to enchant audiences as one of the competitors on the Food Network's Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking. Known for his vibrant personality and culinary excellence, Gutierrez is no stranger to the competitive kitchen scene. He previously captured titles on Netflix's School of Chocolate, Food Network’s Chopped Sweets, and even won Dancing with Chicago Celebrities in 2022.

Gutierrez, who serves as the corporate pastry chef for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants and the executive pastry chef at the St. Regis Chicago, is one of nineteen chefs competing in the new magical baking series that premiered Thursday, Nov. 14th.

In an interview with Windy City Times, Gutierrez reflected on his competitive spirit, his cultural identity, and how he navigated the tension of participating in a show connected to controversial Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

Competing with Heart

Gutierrez attributes his competitive drive to his upbringing. “Well, first of all, I’m Latino, so that comes with the territory,” he said with a laugh. “But I’ve always pushed myself to be better—not to win, but to show the best of me.”

This passion for self-improvement carried him through rigorous competitions, including his Dancing with Chicago Celebrities win. “I wanted to represent both my gay and Latino communities,” he shared. “We combined tango with voguing—it was so fun!”

A Magical Experience

Gutierrez described being on Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking as nothing short of transformative. “I was constantly in awe,” he said. “It didn’t feel like a competition. It felt like I was part of the Harry Potter world, living that fantasy.”

The show, which features two-person teams creating whimsical, wizard-inspired confections, paired Gutierrez with Elizabeth Rowe. “They put us together, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner,” he said. “Her talent inspired me to step up my game.”

The series also brought Gutierrez face-to-face with celebrity judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef, hosts James and Oliver Phelps (the Weasley twins from the Harry Potter films), and guest judge Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood). “The day Luna walked in, I almost lost it,” he admitted. “It felt like magic.”

Navigating Controversy

The decision to join a show linked to Rowling, who has faced criticism for anti-transgender statements, was not one Gutierrez took lightly. “Of course, I hesitated,” he said. “It goes against everything I believe in. But I thought, ‘Nobody’s going to take our shine because of how they think.’”

Gutierrez saw the platform as an opportunity to represent and uplift marginalized communities. “We’re the new chefs rising up and taking over the world. My struggles should never be someone else’s struggles. I wanted to showcase our true love for ourselves and use this platform for good.”

Cultural Pride

Originally from Colombia, Gutierrez credits his mother and grandmother for inspiring his passion for baking. “My mom made the best boxed brownies you’ll ever have,” he recalled fondly. After training at Chicago’s French Pastry School, he decided to stay in the city and carve his path in the culinary world.

Gutierrez also expressed admiration for his fellow competitors, who hail from diverse backgrounds. “We had chefs from Colombia, France, London, India, and Mexico. The amount of talent in that room was unbelievable.”

Bringing Joy to Viewers

Gutierrez hopes the show will ignite nostalgia and joy for viewers. “It brings you back to being a kid,” he said. “I can’t wait for people to watch it.”

With his infectious energy and artistry, Gutierrez is sure to cast a spell on audiences worldwide during this season of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking every Thursday at 8 p.m. EST on Food Network and globally on Max.