Food Network hosts James and Oliver Phelps are back in wizarding mode — just not the kind involving wands. The real-life twins best known for playing Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter films have returned as hosts of “Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking,” where magical desserts, nostalgic throwbacks, and yes, edible toilet paper are officially on the menu.
Ahead of the season 2 premiere, the brothers sat down with FoodNetwork.com to reflect on the experience of filming inside the iconic Wizarding World, the wild bakes that fooled even the production staff, and the holiday dishes they’re making at home. As expected, the Managers of Mischief did not disappoint.
James and Oliver Phelps Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Magic on ‘Wizards of Baking’
Although the film franchise ended in 2011, stepping back onto the London sets still hits hard for the twins.
“When we step back into that world, into the Great Hall for example, it doesn’t feel like 25 seconds have passed, let alone years,” Oliver said. “It’s like a little time capsule.”
James agreed. “Walking back through the sets, I saw things I’d completely forgotten about… It’s like you unlock a wave of memories you didn’t realize were still in your brain.”
Season 2 sends bakers across iconic locations recreated from the films, challenging them to produce illusion bakes so convincing that even staff couldn’t tell the difference. According to James, production crew members often failed the on-set game where they had to guess which object was real and which was cake.
Oliver was particularly stunned by a replica of Skele-Gro. “These bakes look like art pieces more than desserts,” he said. “They belong in a museum.”
But the most unforgettable item? Edible toilet paper. Made of wafer paper by team Jenny and Alex, it somehow became the dessert everyone had to try — including the hosts.
“It was strange because of what it’s meant to be,” James laughed. “And knowing cameras were on me while I was licking toilet paper? Everything you shouldn’t do in life — but it’s part of the experience.”
The Food Network Hosts Talk Family, Food, and What’s Next
Despite the magical chaos of the show, holiday season traditions keep the hosts grounded. Oliver shared that he makes trifle or Christmas pudding every year. “I don’t mean the trifle like in ‘Friends,’” he joked. “A proper one.”
James added, “I eat a lot of trifles. My mother-in-law gets me my own because I don’t like to share.”
The brothers say the biggest reward of hosting “Wizards of Baking” is seeing real families bond over cooking.
“It inspires people to get in the kitchen, even if you’re not amazing at it,” Oliver said. James added that fans often tell them the series becomes a screens-down family activity.
Outside the kitchen, the twins remain as active as ever. James recently ran the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, while Oliver completed his first New York City Marathon. “The cool thing about being in New York this time of year is carb-loading,” Oliver joked. “A big pizza slice and a nice glass of wine.”
The duo hopes for more seasons of “Wizards of Baking,” another travel series, and continued episodes of their podcast “Normal Not Normal.”
“Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking” airs Sundays at 8|7c on Food Network, with episodes streaming the next day on HBO Max and discovery+.
