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Altoona Area High School graduate returns to ‘Halloween Wars’

Altoona Area High School graduate making third appearance in Food Network contest

By Colette Costlow 5 min read

The third time might just be the charm for Altoona Area graduate Anthony Pater, who is back competing on the Food Network's "Halloween Wars," a show that pits teams of pumpkin carvers against each other until the field is narrowed down and a champion is named.

Pater, who has loved "Halloween Wars" since he was young, is competing in this "All-Star" season on team Blood Suckers with sugar master Cesar Barachina and cake artist Sabrina Jurado. In addition to sharing a love for pumpkin carving, the three are all previous contestants on "Halloween Wars."

"I've loved pumpkins since I was a kid, and I've loved these carvers," Pater said. "It's a battle of skill, creativity, and I can show that I can swing my punches."

Pater, 24, is one of the youngest contestants on "Halloween Wars," being only 20 years old during his first appearance on Season 12. That appearance -- with Team Eerie Eats -- came about after the Food Network noticed him on social media because he posted his pumpkin carvings online.

While he didn't win that season, he was invited back and competed in Season 15 with Team Crumb Creepers.

While Pater and his teammates fell short in previous attempts -- and the outcome of the current season remains unknown -- Blood Suckers have made it deep into the competition and will be featured on this weekend's installment.

The show, "Episode 6: Back from the Dead: Final Four," will be broadcast at 9 p.m. Sunday on the Food Network. It will be available Monday to stream on Max.

Pater said viewers can't ask for a stronger competition than what has been featured on Season 16.

"It's intimidating, going against the top culinary artists in the world, especially since you've admired these people since you were a kid," he said. "I want to prove to myself, my friends, my family and the world that I have what it takes to be the best."

Pater started watching "Halloween Wars" at 9 years old, creating his own pumpkin carvings inspired by the designs featured on the series.

Pater's mother Susan Shoenfelt remembered her son carving art out of various foods as well, including squash, potatoes and apples.

"He fell in love with 'Halloween Wars' the first season," she said. "I remember him getting Ray Villafane's carving tutorial DVD that year for Christmas. He watched it repeatedly."

"I've always loved art, and I've been drawing, sculpting and painting since I can remember," Pater said. "It stayed like that; it was a hobby and nothing more."

Although he didn't take any advanced placement courses on pumpkin carving, he said his art department teachers at Altoona Area always encouraged his creations.

Many instructors fostered his wild imagination while growing up, he said.

"I was expecting people to be more critical, but everyone was very accepting, and I consider myself lucky," he said.

Graduating high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, he attended Edinboro University for a degree in animation, but social distancing rules made socializing difficult. So, he resorted to pumpkin carving instead, posting his creations to his social media pages and dropping off carved pumpkins where others could find them.

"Pretty soon, the entire campus found out that there was a wild pumpkin carver running amok," he said.

Today, other than competing on "Halloween Wars," Pater is an animator in Mt. Dora, Florida, contracted with SteamRoller Animation.

"I don't know what the future holds for me, but Altoona will always be my home, and it'll hold a special place in my heart," he said.

Frightening foods

With two seasons of "Halloween Wars" and a completed bachelor's degree under his belt, Pater said he's ready to fight for Season 16's grand prize.

"There's only one more thing I love more than pumpkin carving, which is winning," he said.

Season 16 began with eight all-star teams battling in head-to-head competitions for a chance to win the grand prize of $50,000, according to Food Network's website.

Shoenfelt said it takes a lot of maturity to handle the pressure of filming over a few weeks, competing against strangers under extreme conditions far from home.

"I am very proud of the way he carries himself on the show," she said. "He is not afraid to show emotion, and that takes a lot of maturity and inner strength."

As of Oct. 11, the Blood Suckers have survived five episodes, crafting horror-focused food creations such as an "Ugly Duckling" featured on Episode 4.

Pater also clinched first place in the series' first pumpkin carving speed competition, winning with a very detailed fish replica, according to a Facebook post.

"We may not have won the whole challenge, but it was such a cool moment for the team that I'll never forget the smiles and joy I brought to Cesar and Sabrina," Pater wrote.

Realizing how far his childhood dreams got him, Pater advised kids to shoot for the stars.

"Dream first, then work for it," he said. "Believe in the point where you're committed to dedicating your life to making it happen."

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

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