Baking Scraps

In this episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina sit down with pastry chef and Food Network competitor Aaron Davis for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it actually takes to build a career in baking when you’re still figuring life out. Aaron shares how a childhood spent moving shaped his ability to adapt quickly, connect with people, and stay grounded in unfamiliar environments. That same mindset followed him into the kitchen, where he learned early that talent alone isn’t enough without resilience and the willingness to keep showing up. He opens up about getting his start in baking at a young age, the influence of family, and the moments that made him realize this could be more than just a hobby. They discuss how reality competition shows include pressure, self-doubt, and what it feels like to suddenly find yourself standing beside chefs you grew up watching. Aaron speaks honestly about imposter syndrome and learning to trust his own voice enough to build relationships in an industry that thrives on connection.Lisa and Cristina also explore the idea of “overnight success” and how misleading that can be, as Aaron reflects on the years of quiet work that happen long before any big opportunity shows up. There’s a strong focus on timing, preparation, and recognizing when to say yes, even when you’re not entirely sure you’re ready. Join us for a relatable conversation about carving out a path that feels like your own in a competitive world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina sit down with Megan Stasiewich from Season 2 of The Great Canadian Baking Show, a baker whose creativity and artistry made her an early standout in the tent.The conversation begins with genuine fangirl energy as both hosts share how Megan inspired their own baking journeys. Megan reflects on her experience entering the competition during the early years of the show, when contestants had far fewer resources and little idea what to expect.She shares behind-the-scenes insights about the audition process, the intense pressure of technical challenges, and what it felt like navigating the competition without the knowledge newer contestants now have. Megan also talks about the collaborative spirit inside the tent, explaining how the absence of a cash prize helped create a supportive environment where bakers genuinely rooted for each other.Beyond the show, Megan discusses the creative freedom to experiment with new ideas she has as a professional baker, and the philosophy that guides her baking: have fun, stay confident, and embrace the unpredictability of working with real ingredients.The episode is full of humor and plenty of baking wisdom from a fan favorite. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina reconnect with returning guest Niki Behjou, one of the podcast’s earliest supporters, to chat about how far everyone has come since Niki first appeared on the show while launching her NikiBakes cookbook.Niki shares encouragement, behind-the-scenes insights, and thoughtful advice about building a baking presence. The conversation also touches on personal challenges, resilience, and how creativity and baking can carry people through difficult seasons.It’s a heartfelt catch-up between friends who continue to cheer each other on in the kitchen and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Stefanski sits down with Lisa and Cristina to talk about his path into baking and his experience competing on The Great American Baking Show.Chris shares how he first got serious about baking and what pushed him to apply for the show. He walks through the audition process and the moment he found out he would be stepping into the famous tent. The conversation moves into the reality of filming a baking competition, including the pressure of timed challenges, baking under cameras, and the relationships that form between contestants during filming.Chris also revisits one of the most memorable moments of his time on the show: a choux pastry bake that went off the rails. He describes what it felt like as the challenge unfolded and how contestants handle those moments once the clock stops.The episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at competition baking and a glimpse into Chris’s approach to creativity in the kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina are joined by Joanne Mandet, winner of Season 9 of The Great Canadian Baking Show, talking travel, coming home, and the kind of joy that lives in simple, beautiful moments. Jo shares what it was like for her to compete on the show: the nerves, the lack of sleep, the balancing act with family and work, and the quiet decision to trust her own style instead of chasing something flashy. We talk about growth through the audition process, the importance of a solid support system, and what happens when you focus on the process instead of the outcome, and learn from the bakers around you without losing yourself.And, of course, we play This or That. Butter tarts or Nanaimo bars. Swiss meringue or American buttercream. Chiffon or sponge. Jo's answers spark stories about childhood desserts, cultural roots, favorite travels, and the small rituals that make food meaningful.It’s warm, honest, reflective, and full of laughter...an episode about why sometimes the simple things really are the best things. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Baking Scraps, we’re talking about what it really feels like to put yourself out there.With Cristina away on vacation, Lisa and special guest (and expert on applying to baking shows) Steven Levitt sit down with hopeful home bakers who have experience applying to baking shows and know the vulnerability of hitting “submit”. Some are still applying; some have decided to step back; all of them are still baking.This was a chance for us to feature some incredible talents that the world hasn’t yet seen, as a first glimpse into the lives and experiences behind the ones on your television screen. What does it really take to apply to be on a baking show? How hard does it hit the ego when you aren’t accepted? And is it worth it to do it anyway?The answers are honest, funny, tender, and encouraging. This is an episode about courage, waiting, self-doubt, resilience, and why it’s important to keep showing up, even when the outcome is uncertain.We’re excited to introduce you to some of the talent you may one day be seeing on your television screen, so that you can also encourage them in their journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this heartfelt episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina sit down with The Great Australian Baking Show finalist Vanessa Furci for a conversation that is so much more than Bake Off.Vanessa shares how her Italian heritage shaped her love of food, growing up cooking alongside her nonna in a garage kitchen filled with big tables, loud laughter, and even bigger flavours. Now a nurse working in oncology and a mom of two little ones, she opens up about how food connects generations, carries memory, and becomes a love language during both joyful and deeply difficult seasons of life.We talk about the emotional story behind the Bake Off cookbook her nonna gifted her before she passed away, the surreal moment she received the acceptance call while at a Wiggles concert, and what it was like to film the series while raising babies at home. Vanessa opens up about juggling motherhood, auditions, hospital visits, intense technical challenges, and the unforgettable moment her family surprised her in the Grand Final.This episode is about legacy, Italian traditions, blind dates that last seven hours, and marrying the guy you swore you never would.Bring tissues. And maybe a biscuit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Lisa and Cristina are joined by GCBS Season 9 finalist Ryan Gridzak for a reflective, honest conversation about his journey on the Great Canadian Baking Show and everything that came after. We talk about the application process, the reality of filming, and how much time has passed since stepping out of the tent, along with what it feels like to look back on the experience with perspective. Ryan shares what the show meant to him, in the connections formed; the confidence gained; and the once in a lifetime nature of being part of something so special.A steelworker from Sault Ste. Marie, Ryan may have seemed like an unexpected choice for the show, but week after week, his skill at baking and decorating surpassed all expectations. Ryan explains how much learning happens behind the scenes, from researching unfamiliar techniques to developing backup plans under pressure, and why surviving each week felt like its own victory. We talk about format dreams, technical challenges, favorite bakes, judging realities, and the limitations of television when it comes to showing the full scope of a baker’s creativity.The conversation widens into life beyond the show, touching on parenting, family, and the huge support his wife and family gave him throughout his time preparing for and being on the show. This conversation about balancing ambition with family life, the joy of milestones, and how his relationship with baking continues to evolve, is a great start to a brand new Baking Scraps season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode brings together three incredible Bake Off champions for a lively, heartfelt, and wonderfully nerdy deep dive into the world of competitive baking. Lisa and Cristina are joined by Peter Sawkins, winner of Great British Bake Off 2020, Laura Foo, winner of Great Australian Bake Off 2023, and Loïc Fauteux-Goulet, winner of Great Canadian Baking Show 2023. Each baker shares the winding path that led them to their respective tents, from Loïc discovering his passion through late-night Bake Off marathons, to Laura’s roots in Singaporean home baking and her pandemic baking adventures, to Peter becoming utterly captivated by the show at age ten.The bakers compare the unique rhythms of their different franchises, reflecting on the pressure, the unpredictability, and the strange comfort of baking under the watchful eye of a production crew. Together they recount the chaos, the camaraderie, the victories, the disasters, and the moments when everything just seemed to magically work in the tent (or shed!). By the end, the trio has formed a cross-continental pact: an international baking challenge club designed to push each other’s limits in the most joyful way possible.This conversation is warm, generous, and full of insights for bakers of every level. Whether you are a Bake Off fan, a home baker, or just someone who loves hearing passionate people talk about the craft they adore, this episode will make you smile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get ready to meet Adela Mou, finalist of The Great American Baking Show Season 3 - a self-taught home baker from Brooklyn who blew us away with her bold flavours, creativity, and fearless experimentation. From decorating ice-cream cakes as a teen at Cold Stone Creamery, to quietly baking birthday cakes in college, Adela carved her own baking path, inspired by global flavours, especially Asian ingredients like pandan and hojicha, that she blends into desserts in unexpected ways. On the show she stayed true to that vision, juggling “Bake Off” classics like cookies, cakes, and pastries, while infusing them with her unique flavour flair. In our Baking Scraps conversation, Adela opens up to Lisa and Cristina about what it felt like to step into the iconic baking tent, bake under pressure for judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, and how those friendships and memories - not just the competition - became the heart of her experience. She also shares what home-baking means to her now: balancing her baking passion with a full-time job and community, experimenting with flavours, and merging cultural influences in dessert…reminding us all you don’t need to be a “professional” to bake something truly special. Tune in for a warm, real, and inspiration-filled chat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we sit down with two of the three incredible finalists from Season 9, Jo and Ryan, for a conversation that is honest, funny, emotional, and full of the heart that made this season so special. They take us through their journeys into baking, the surprises and struggles of auditioning, the surreal moment of seeing themselves in the tent, and the behind the scenes stories that made us laugh until we cried. From apron trouble to late night practice bakes to the challenge of keeping the biggest secret of their lives from their families, they paint a picture of a whirlwind experience that changed them forever.We also talk about the emotional toll and the joy of the competition, the friendships that formed under pressure, and the way bakers quietly supported one another even when the cameras were not watching. Jo reflects on the challenge of being away from her kids, Ryan shares the love and encouragement that carried him through his third audition attempt, and together they describe a season filled with extraordinary bakers, long nights, and small victories that meant everything. Their reflections on the finale, the editing, the judges, and the iconic bakes give such a beautiful glimpse into what it felt like to live those moments from the inside.As we wrap this episode, the conversation turns to gratitude, growth, community, and what comes next. Jo and Ryan share the techniques they are proud of, the lessons they will carry forward, and the surreal experience of finding themselves recognized in their hometowns. We talk favorite challenges, baking trends, memories from the tent, and the joy of staying connected after the show. It is a warm and heartfelt visit with two bakers we absolutely adore, and the perfect way to celebrate the end of an unforgettable season.Clips and footage from The Great Canadian Baking Show © 2025 Boat Rocker’s  Proper Television Inc., in association with  CBC/Radio-Canada and Love Productions.  Used under fair dealing for review and  commentary.  Photography © Geoff George / CBC. Used  for review and commentary under fair  dealing.  All other content © 2025 Baking Scraps  Podcast. All rights reserved.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa and Cristina welcome Jennifer Tsang to the show and celebrate her incredible run on The Great Canadian Baking Show Season 9. Jennifer shares how her love of baking began in childhood and how support from her family and friends helped her take the leap to apply. She talks about the surprise of meeting fellow contestants on the flight to Toronto and the excitement of stepping into the tent for the first time.Jennifer reflects on her competition experience, including the long filming days, the bonds she formed with the other bakers, and the skills she discovered through practice and pressure. She describes the emotional response from classmates, professors, and her community after the episodes aired and speaks about how much she learned from both the judges and her fellow contestants.The conversation also explores Jennifer’s creative interests, from fusion baking to tea experiments to molecular gastronomy. She shares stories about baking with her sister, her love of musicals while she works in the kitchen, and her thoughtful approach to recipe testing. The episode wraps with lighthearted games, future baking plans, and appreciation for Jennifer’s joy, curiosity, and resilience throughout her baking journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Baking Scraps, we sit down with the most recent baker to leave the Great Canadian Baking Show, Margaret Bose-Johnson, to dig into her incredible journey, her gluten-free baking expertise, and the highs and lows of competing in the tent.Margaret shares how her love of baking began on her family’s sugar beet farm, opening up about supportive parents, early baking experiments that didn’t always go to plan, and the path that eventually led her to apply to the Great Canadian Baking Show three times before finally earning her spot. We explore Margaret’s deep dive into gluten-free baking and how years of testing, failing, adjusting, and experimenting helped her create her own custom gluten-free flour blend. She talks about the science behind GF baking, how excitement replaced frustration once she cracked the code, and how that passion shaped her time on the show.Margaret reflects on the intense challenges of the tent, including weather, humidity, time pressure, and the underbaked pie (was it the oven???) that ultimately sent her home. She shares behind-the-scenes insights about equipment quirks, supporting fellow bakers, and the chaotic yet inspiring atmosphere that makes the tent unlike any other kitchen. We also chat about her bi-monthly bake-offs with fellow contestants, favorite technical bakes, gluten-free recreations, and why the Dubai chocolate cookie might be the wildest recipe tackled.Beyond baking, Margaret opens up about balancing her love for dragon boating with her culinary passions, her joy in making puff pastry from scratch, and that age old question: how do you like your butter tarts? We wrap up with a playful round of “This or That,” where Margaret's charming indecisiveness steals the moment.If you love baking, behind-the-scenes stories, and hearing directly from the heart of the Great Canadian Baking Show, you will love this conversation with Margaret.Clips and footage from The Great Canadian  Baking Show © 2025 Boat Rocker’s  Proper Television Inc., in association with  CBC/Radio-Canada and Love Productions.  Used under fair dealing for review and  commentary.  Photography © Geoff George / CBC. Used  for review and commentary under fair  dealing.  All other content © 2025 Baking Scraps  Podcast. All rights reserved.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Baking Scraps, Dominic Ménard-Bilodeau joins Cristina and Lisa to reflect on his unforgettable run on The Great Canadian Baking Show. Fresh off his Week 5 elimination, Dominic opens up to us about the high level of talent this season, the pressure of limited practice time, and the emotional challenge of leaving just before the final stretch.The conversation dives into everything from Pastry Week predictions to Maple Week memories (where Dominic earned his “King of Maple” title) and his creative approach to flavour in his bakes. He shares how his baking obsession began, the story behind his memorable “treasure box” audition bake, and the long-kept secret of filming under wraps (complete with an excuse that we are thrilled and delighted to find that we contributed to!).It’s a warm, funny, and inspiring conversation that celebrates growth, creativity, and the joy of baking under pressure.Clips and footage from The Great Canadian Baking Show © 2025 Boat Rocker’s Proper Television Inc., in association with  CBC/Radio-Canada and Love Productions.  Used under fair dealing for review and commentary.  Photography © Geoff George / CBC. Used for review and commentary under fair dealing.  All other content © 2025 Baking Scraps Podcast. All rights reserved.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Baking Scraps, Vincent and Steven step in as guest hosts while Cristina’s away, and the laughs come easy with our guest: the charming, witty, and wonderfully honest Shaneka Ekanayake, the second baker to leave the tent in Season 9 of The Great Canadian Baking Show.Shaneka opens up about her love of cake (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, thank you very much), what first inspired her to bake, and the heartfelt reason she and her family moved to Canada: to support her son’s dream of becoming a pilot. Between stories of family, cake, and why she won’t let anyone into her kitchen while she’s baking, we get to see Shaneka’s humor, warmth, and honesty shine through.We chat about the strength of her support system, why she hasn’t been able to watch the Bread Week episode yet, and why she keeps a little Santa outside her house all year long. (Spoiler: she would celebrate Christmas every day if she could!)It’s a funny, tender, and delightfully festive conversation that reminds us why we love bakers like Shaneka…full of heart, hope, and holiday spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Baking Scraps, special guest hosts Vincent Chan and Steven Levitt (from Great Canadian Baking Show Season 5) join Lisa to chat with Dan Vano, the first baker eliminated on Season 9 of The Great Canadian Baking Show. His time in the tent may have been short, but it was packed with heart, humour, and plenty of butter.Dan talks about the whirlwind experience of stepping into the tent, the nerves and laughter of that first challenge, and the friendships that made it all worthwhile. He shares what surprised him most about being on the show, how he handled the pressure, and why he’s still smiling about it all.It’s an honest, funny, and uplifting conversation that reminds us why we love the bakers as much as their bakes.Clips and footage from The Great Canadian Baking Show © 2025 Boat Rocker’s Proper Television Inc., produced in association with CBC/Radio-Canada and Love Productions. Used under fair dealing for review and commentary purposes.Photography © Geoff George Photography. Used for review and commentary under fair dealing.All other content © 2025 Baking Scraps Podcast. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Baking Scraps, we welcome the endlessly joyful and creative Amos Lilley. From the moment the conversation starts, his energy and humor light up the screen…and it only gets better from there. Amos takes us on a journey from his acting days in London’s bright lights to finding his true passion back home in Nottingham, where baking became both his art and his joy.With warmth and wit, he shares how his mum, a home economics teacher, unknowingly planted the seeds of his baking journey, and how those early lessons transformed into a raw talent and deep love of cake. From hilarious kitchen stories to heartfelt reflections on creativity, Amos reminds us that following your passions isn’t always straightforward, but it’s always worth it.This episode is full of laughter, inspiration, and that irresistible “why not?” spirit Amos carries into everything he does. If you’re looking for a conversation that will lift your mood, spark your creativity, and maybe even leave you craving a slice of chocolate orange cake, you won’t want to miss this one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kim Goldfeder Clarke, winner of Season 3 of the Great American Baking Show, brings a theatre background and a lifelong love of baking to a conversation filled with heart and creativity. She talks about how a childhood watching family bakers sparked a passion that eventually led to the Great American Baking Show, describing the thrill of finally getting the call to compete and the behind-the-scenes challenges of unfamiliar ovens, new ingredients, and high-pressure finals.She shares vivid memories of marathon practice sessions in London, a quirky lucky-number superstition, and the deep support system she calls her Harry Potter style “army of goodness.” Kim also offers expert tips for building intricate gingerbread dioramas while baking along with the current season of Great British Bake Off, like a gorgeous time capsule cookie box and oven inspired showpiece, while reflecting on the contrast between the intensity of a baking tent and the joy of relaxed home baking.The conversation also celebrates how the spirit of the original Great British Bake Off connects bakers and fans around the globe. Lisa, Cristina, and Kim talk about how much fun it is to watch every version of the show and how sharing those stories builds a worldwide baking community. Woven throughout is Kim’s commitment to kindness and animal rescue and the many people she touched through sharing the world of her English Bulldog Mr. Bentley: a reminder that her Hot Mess of Love is as generous as it is delicious. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karen Mealing, manager of culture and tourism for Midland, Ontario, joins Lisa and Cristina to explore the rich story of Canada’s most beloved dessert: the butter tart. Karen traces its origins from early settler kitchens to Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival, a free street celebration that draws about 60,000 visitors and sells more than 300,000 tarts every June. Fans of The Great Canadian Baking Show will recognize the most delicious controversy at the heart of this treat and a running joke on both CBC and Baking Scraps: are butter tarts best with raisins, or no raisins? Karen shares how that spirited debate once lit up the festival’s social media and continues to shape conversations among bakers and fans alike. She also takes listeners inside the festival’s detailed judging process, reveals flavor combinations ranging from traditional pecan to adventurous black garlic or peanut curry, and describes how the event adapted during the pandemic with a butter tart bicycle trail. With traditions like the ceremonial “piping of the tart,” more than 400 vendor applications each year, and a team that has grown to five planners, this festival has become a beloved cornerstone of Canadian food culture. Along the way, Lisa and Cristina reflect on their own evolving appreciation for butter tarts, making this episode a warm and lively celebration of culinary heritage and community spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this vibrant first episode of Season 3, Lisa and Cristina sit down with Gregson Gastar, a Filipino-Australian hairdresser turned baking luminary. Gregson’s lifelong love for baking began at nine years old and evolved alongside his creative passions: hair styling, photography, dancing, and dabbling with flavor-rich recipes inspired by his heritage.Despite his impressive enthusiasm and flair, Gregson found himself the first to leave The Great Australian Bake Off Season 9 during cake week. But the judges and audience weren’t left remembering what went wrong; they remembered his “pineapple dance” and the warmth he brought to every whisk and roll.From his early days in the kitchen to his bold leaps into the public eye, Gregson is definitely making his mark, not only with his bakes, but with the joy and authenticity he brings to everything he does.Gregson opens up about the inspirations that shape his flavors, the ways he weaves culture and heritage into his food, and the resilience it takes to keep pursuing your passion even when the journey takes unexpected turns. With warmth, honesty, and his signature “sprinkles and love,” he reminds us that baking is about so much more than what comes out of the oven - it’s about connection, courage, and celebration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.