Too fresh to flop
Prepare for tasty treats and a few kitchen flops in season 2 of The Great SA Bake Off.
Presenters Lentswe Bhengu and Anne Hirsch (left) are joining judges Shirley Guy and Tjaart Walraven (right). Season 2 Tuesdays (from 18 October) BBC Lifestyle (*174) 20:00
It’s time to put on aprons, dust some flour and grab those rolling pins – The Great South African Bake Off (2015- current) is back on the box as 12 new bakers prepare to out-knead, out- cook and out-bake one another. What advice do returning Bake Off judges Tjaart Walraven and Shirley Guy have for the contestants? “Read the recipe twice. Don’t forget the eggs. Keep it simple,” they say. Let’s meet the new aspiring master bakers…
Asfeyah Mia (Gauteng) The 53-year old housewife is taking the show one episode at a time. “I can adapt to whatever situation I’m thrown in and I’m here to experience and learn,” she says. Avontalent Tanhera (KZN) Domestic worker Avontalent used to bake with her sister, but not in an oven. Says the 28-yearold, “We lived in the rural areas and baked on an open fire. It wasn’t easy.” Caitlin McWilliams (Western Cape) At 18, she’s the youngest con- testant this season but Caitlin says that age has nothing to do with experience. “My dream is to be a pastry chef, so I’m excited for the dessert challenges and I’m ready to make my bakes as beautiful as possible.” Carol Ndovela (Gauteng) From behind the cameras as a producer at SABC News to baking in front of one, the 35-year-old is ready for stiff competition: “I entered season 1 but I didn’t get past the first round. I’m here now and ready!” Earl Mark Morrison (KZN) The 47-year- old electrician’s interest in baking started when he was a kid and he adds that “my fondest memory is creaming the butter and sugar in a bowl by hand and not at the push of a button”. Hillary Arries (Gauteng) The 32-year-old accounting clerk’s biggest fear is getting distracted in the kitchen. “As soon as you lose track of one thing, it all goes downhill. I am going to look at the whole picture and take my time.” Jason Miller (Gauteng) An urban design student by day, the 24-year-old spends nights perfecting his breads and pastries. “My partner entered me as I doubted myself, but now I feel good that I’m here,” he says. Leon Jansen van Vuuren (Gauteng) Correctional officer Leon’s had his share of rejections from other reality cooking shows (like Afrikaans show Koekedoor, 2016- current), but the 49-year-old is ready to win! “My forte is [cake] decorating.” Matthew Jones (KZN) The 35-year-old is combining family tradition and his job as a scientist. “My grandfather baked bread for us and I tried to replicate it, but it’s been a slow transition. Now I’m learning to bake as I go along and I’m using science to help,” he says. Motsodishi Mokoena (Gauteng) The economist has a strong mathematical background, but don’t underestimate the 28-year- old’s creative side. “I learn from my mistakes and I can whip up a sweet red velvet cake.” Nasreen Chamda (Gauteng) The 28-year- old industrial psychologist says that she took an interest in baking because “it was a way for me to spend time with my mom in the kitchen when I was young. She was a dermatologist doing her residency, so she was always on the go”. Penelope Jane Rider (Gauteng) Homemaker Penelope is more of a cook than a baker, but the 57-year- old loves a challenge, joking that “I spent my time practicing [preparing baked goods and family feasts] instead of going on holidays around the world”.
HELPING HANDS
While Tjaart and Shirley are judging the baked goods placed before them, Great SA Bake Off presenters Anne Hirsch and Lentswe Bhengu are on hand to sort out any sticky messes that the contestants might find themselves in during the eight hour-long episodes shot on location at the Cradle Of Mankind in Joburg. NB! See more on p71