Local pumpkin carver, architect Brown competes in all-star season of Halloween Wars on Food Network

Mike Brown, Willard resident and owner of Heartwood House, a design firm in Ash Grove, has been chosen to compete in the newest season of Halloween Wars on Food Network. 
 
Brown competed on the show once before, taking home the championship in Season 7 of the show. 
 
Halloween Wars, now on its 16th season, features sugar artists, pumpkin carving experts and cake decorators who are tasked to design and create festive edible displays. At the end, the last team standing gets to take home the grand prize of $30,000.
 
Season 16 is an all-star season, a format which invites back previous season winners to compete head-to-head against other champions. This means, if Mike Brown and his team win it all this year, they would be the first team to hold two championships in the show’s history, but he said he’s up to the challenge. 
 
“They’re the best of the best… it’s definitely a whole different experience,” said Brown. “But I love that though, because I love the challenge of it … the pressure and intensity of it.” 
 
Brown is designated as the pumpkin carver on “Team Ghoul’d.” He believes it to be similar to his other line of work, architecture and design. 
 
“Having a background in architecture and art, it’s something that I kind of gravitated toward,” said Brown.
 
Self-taught artist
Brown started pumpkin carving about 12 years ago after becoming interested in another artist online. Originally knowing nothing about pumpkin sculpting, or sculpting of any kind, he resorted to self-teaching though he did glean a few tips from others on occasion. 
 
He taught himself well, becoming proficient enough to begin traveling to festivals and events to display his carving proficiency.  He would also set a world record in 2018 for the world’s largest jack-o-lantern which he carved with the help of a few other artists. 
 
He first found his way to Halloween Wars on its seventh season in 2016 with the same team that he has today. Brown had been a fan of the show prior to his first appearance which led him to submit an application and eventually make an appearance. 
 
Ten years later, with the former champions gathered for season 16, Brown thinks his team has a strong chance of winning it all despite stiff competition.
 
“We’re a very strong team, so I feel good about what we have accomplished so far,” said Brown. 
 
Tune in
To catch Brown in action, tune in to Halloween Wars Sunday nights at 8 p.m. on Food Network.