Bake Off whisks in extra teaspoons of Jewish zest
VIT HAS FEATURED challah, charoset and rainbow bagels. Now The Great Celebrity Bake Off will feature a new trio of Jewish stars: Tracy-Ann Oberman,
Matt Lucas and Ruby Wax. They are among a fresh crop of bakers to don their aprons as the series returns to Channel 4 in the spring in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
Mr Lucas, 47, who joined Noel Fielding as co-host in 2020, will be swapping sides, this time stepping into the tent as a participant vying for the coveted title of star baker.
He said, “I was forced to bake by my bosses at the last minute when one of the bakers became unavailable. I can’t tell you how happy I was that my humiliation was caught on camera.”
The long-running baking competition has over recent years featured various Jewish recipes. Last year saw three-time star baker Jurgen Krauss — whose wife Sofia is a member of Brighton Reform — impress judges with his challah, charoset and matzah pavlova.
The challah-loving baker told the JC: “When my mother-in-law was ill a few years ago and lost her appetite, she would still enjoy challah so I started baking challah for her — and still make it on Fridays.”
He added: “Making bread is magic. The dough comes alive, takes different shapes and sizes and I feel that a special relationship is formed with the bread during its creation.”
In 2020, bakers tackled chocolate babka and a controversial multi-coloured bagel challenge.
Other celebrity bakers joining this year include Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore, Olympic running champion Sir Mo Farah and Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse.