Leith may take the cake
A SOUTH African might take the cake when judge Mary Berry is replaced on The Great British Bake Off.
Johannesburg-born Prue Leith, 76, who moved to the United Kingdom as a young student to study cooking, has confirmed that she is “in the running” for a central role in the cooking show alongside judge Paul Hollywood.
Leith’s agent‚ Hilary Knight‚ said she was on the shortlist‚ but as yet nothing had been confirmed.
The show completed its seventh series on the BBC and next season is moving to Channel 4.
Neither Berry nor hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc are remaining with the show.
A local version of the show‚ The Great South African Bake Off‚ has completed a second season.
Leith‚ a food writer‚ restaurateur and founder of cooking schools in both South Africa and the UK‚ is no stranger to TV cooking shows, having been a judge in The Great British Menu for 11 seasons.
Leith‚ who visits South Africa regularly is the founder patron of the Cape-based Prue Leith Chefs Academy.
She spends a week at the school every second year‚ giving advice and input.
Academy managing director Anthony Roberts said they would be delighted if Leith were made a judge on the British show.
“What we would really love is for her to be a guest judge on the South African version – that would be great exposure for us‚” he joked.
Roberts believes Leith would be a great Bake Off judge.
“She is so disarming. She keeps things casual‚ it’s her style to put everyone at ease.
“On her biannual visits here, the students know that she is coming but not the actual day. She will just pop up at their side in the kitchen.”
What you see on TV is what you get, he said.
“Prue is tough but fair. All her criticism is constructive . . .
“Having cooked for so many years, she understands the difficulties faced in the kitchen, but she doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
“From a technical and flavour point of view, no contestant will catch her out.” — TMG