Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.
In this episode of Scrap Recap, we dive into Indulgence Week on The Great Canadian Baking Show, where luxury takes center stage and even the cherries glitter! We unpack all the lavish challenges, the creative flavor combinations, and all the high-stakes energy that comes with trying to make mini cheesecakes worthy of the title “indulgent.”
We also get into the week’s wild Technical Challenge, featuring the viral Dubai chocolate bar turned into a giant cookie. It’s a bake that has us talking about textures, fillings, and just how over-the-top a single cookie can be. Vincent might actually be the only person alive who hadn’t heard of the Dubai chocolate craze until now, but he’s already planning to make his own kataifi to try it out. Steven, meanwhile, wants absolutely nothing to do with that plan.
And once we get to chatting about the incredible details and thoughtfulness that went into the Showstopper (a CAKE-WRAPPED CAKE?? What is that even ABOUT?!), we can’t help but marvel at how talented these bakers are. Every episode feels tighter than the last, and at this point, it’s almost impossible to guess who might go home. Watching them create such detailed, imaginative bakes each week is inspiring, and saying goodbye never gets easier.
By the end, we’ve covered all things indulgent: sparkle, skill, and the difficulty in seeing anyone go home. It’s decadent, unpredictable, and totally Baking Scraps.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, the Baking Scraps celebrated the first-ever Maple Week on The Great Canadian Baking Show with a very special guest, Rejean Mayer (the King of Maple!), joining us for the discussion. Lisa couldn’t make it this week, but the rest of the team had plenty to say about the syrupy sweetness of the challenges, and the incredible talent of the bakers this season.
Cristina, Rejean, and the Fabulous Baker Boyz Steven and Vincent explore the rich traditions behind maple-based desserts and how this iconic Canadian ingredient can shine in both classic recipes and inventive new creations, even if a couple of us - ahem! - aren’t the biggest fans of maple.
We also unpack a technical challenge that tested precision and patience, share our thoughts on single-dessert versus multi-bake showstoppers, and reflect on the risks of working with sticky syrups and hot sugar (and empathize with one baker who unfortunately got injured this week). The episode celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and nostalgia that maple brings to every bake, and how each baker combined that classic taste with their own individual heritage.
Join us for a conversation that captures everything we love about baking, Canadian traditions, and the joy that is the Great Canadian Baking Show. It might be a little bit sappy…but that’s why we love it.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Baking Scraps crew is back "in the tent" (or rather, peeking through the door) for Carnival Week, and it’s a wild ride of deep-fried dough, bold flavors, and big laughs! After taking a short break to reflect on listener feedback, Lisa, Cristina, and Steven return with gratitude, energy, and a fresh appreciation for the bakers of Season 9.
The team dives into the Great Canadian Baking Show episode, celebrating standout moments like Dominic’s peach-themed pies, Jennifer’s Korean hot dog mochi rings (complete with instant noodle powder!), and Jo’s beautifully simple apple hand pies. We admire how the bakers’ confidence has grown, leading to more authentic, creative bakes full of color and personality.
From Margaret’s sesame mochi donuts and Ryan’s churro cones to Tamara’s Newfoundland toutons with rum glaze, we can’t help but be impressed by the imagination and heart in every bake. Along the way, there’s plenty of laughter, including a detour into Newfoundland traditions; a memorable “deep-frying cat turds” moment; and a chat about pop culture crossovers (hello, K-Pop Demon Hunters meets Bake Off?).
We also share our own kitchen adventures recreating the week’s bakes, including Lisa’s scrambling for a Prinjolata Technical Bake recipe (since CBC didn’t share it this week) and Cristina and Steven's thoughts on mastering Italian meringue.
The recap wraps up with praise for the Cookie Mask Showstopper Challenge, featuring jaw-dropping designs, and a sad farewell to the latest baker to leave, who will be missed. We now look ahead to next week: Maple Week (and Steven teases his secret for silky maple buttercream!).
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.
It’s Bread Week on The Great Canadian Baking Show, and the puns are on the rise! Lisa, Vincent, and Steven are joined by the ever-yeasty Larry Harris - bread expert and GCBS alum - to break down every moment of this week’s challenges.
The gang dives into the bakers’ steamed bun signatures, shares behind-the-tent stories (including proofing memories and pandemic filming quirks), and laughs their way through the ups, downs, and dough disasters of Week 2. Lisa talks about improvising her own steamed buns at home, Vincent gets nostalgic about tea breaks in the tent, and Steven manages to sneak in some yoga jokes.
It’s a warm, pun-filled, and slightly unhinged deep-dive into one of the most beloved GCBS weeks of the season - with plenty of laughs, baker insight, and just the right amount of gluten.
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.
The tent is open, the ovens are hot, and the bakers are back! Lisa, Vincent, and Steven reunite for another delicious season of The Great Canadian Baking Show, and they waste no time diving into the sugar, spice, and slight chaos of Week 1.
The episode kicks off with laughs and a little teasing as we adjust to being one voice short - Cristina is off living her best life in Spain and France, and while we all claim to “miss her terribly,” there’s plenty of good-natured ribbing about French butter and European desserts.
From there, we get into the heart of the premiere: the excitement of meeting this year’s new batch of bakers, the pressure of that first Signature Challenge, and the joy (and heartbreak) that always comes with the first elimination. Lisa, Vincent and Steven share first impressions, early favourites, and a few bold predictions - plus some passionate opinions about the length of episodes and just how extra the opening montage might have been.
It’s a fun, cozy, and slightly chaotic return to the world of butter, flour, and friendship: the perfect way to kick off Season 9.
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.
In this heartwarming and inspiring final Season 2 episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina sit down with the dynamic and ever-authentic Natasha Aschoff, a beloved cake artist and finalist on Season 11 of Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. Broadcasting from her kitchen in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Natasha brings her signature warmth and wit to a conversation that’s equal parts candid, emotional, and laugh-out-loud fun.
We dive into Natasha’s journey through the Holiday Baking Championship tent: what it was like competing under pressure, the story behind her showstopping Victorian Lambeth cake, and the whirlwind of making it to the finals. She also opens up about the creative process behind her highly detailed, story-driven bakes, and why each cake she makes is rooted in emotion and personal meaning.
Throughout the episode, Natasha reflects on her most memorable moments on the show, life after the cameras stopped rolling, and the tricky business of the baking world as a business owner, mom, and content creator. She shares why, to her, authenticity matters more than perfection, and how baking is a form of vulnerability and connection.
Get ready for behind-the-scenes insights from the competition, thoughtful advice for bakers of all levels, and honest reflections on imposter syndrome, staying grounded, and finding your voice in a curated online world.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
🛑 Content Warning:
This episode includes discussions around mental health, grief, bullying, and suicide loss. These conversations are handled with care, but listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:
Guillaume Boivin is back with Lisa and Cristina for a rich, raw, and joyfully unpredictable second interview. In this episode, Guillaume opens up about life after The Great Canadian Baking Show, his work as a psychologist and advocate, and the emotional story behind one of his bakes: a tribute to a close friend. While the show touched on the moment, Guillaume shares what he wished had been included, and why it matters to speak honestly about grief and mental health.
We also dive into the lighter side of life post-show: the unexpected whirlwind of social media, his spicy sense of humor (intentional and otherwise), and the ever-growing fantasy of Pedro Pascal joining us in the tent. There are laughs, innuendos, and genuine reflections on what it means to show up as your full self - flour-covered hands and all.
Plus, Guillaume offers heartfelt advice for the Season 9 bakers, who’ve just wrapped filming and are soon to share their journey with the world.
This conversation is everything we love about Guillaume: sincere, irreverent, thoughtful, and thoroughly delightful. Come for the feels, stay for the giggles—and maybe a cinnamon bun.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Baking Scraps Lisa and Cristina are joined by the one and only Tina Zaccardi … winner of The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition Season 4! 🏆
We chat about her incredible baking journey, the contests (and wins!) that paved the way, and her winning strategy of “pivots & tweaks.” Plus, she shares her love for baseball and her latest sweet series recreating iconic MLB stadium desserts all baseball season long. ⚾🍩
A home baker turned champ … you don’t want to miss this one! It’s a home run!!
#bakingscraps #tinazaccardi #greatamericanbakingshow #homebaker #bakingpodcast #mlbbakes #pivotsandtweaks #stadiumsnacks #holidaybakingchampion
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s guest is as sweet as her bakes! 💚
Say hello to Jzabela De Paz - aka The Cake Mama …. plant-based baker, community builder, lifestyle creator, music lover, and podcast co-host of “We Talk About Stuff and Things”
@the.cake.mama @shopthecakemama
@wetalkaboutstuffandthings
We chat about plant-based swaps, building community one bake at a time, and keeping it real (and hilarious) with her husband Rolando. You don’t want to miss this one! 🌱🧁🎙️
This fun and informative episode drops Tuesday, June 10th at 7pm ET | 4pm PT on all your favourite podcast streaming platforms and of course, YouTube. 🎧
#BakingScraps #TheSweetTalk #Podcast #PodcastGuest #TheCakeMama #plantbasedfood #plantbasedbaker #vegan #veganbakery #wetalkaboutstuffandthings
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s our one-year anniversary, and we’re inviting you to pull up a chair at the kitchen table! In this special milestone episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina take a heartfelt look back on the journey so far - sharing the bake that made us fall in love with baking; talking about how the idea for the podcast got started; and, yes, confessing our biggest “Baking Craps” (those unforgettable fails that taught us just as much as our successes!).
We also open up about our personal lives, getting a little deeper than usual, as well as reflecting on how Baking Scraps has shaped us both on and off the podcast. Without a guest this time, we put ourselves in the hot seat for a lively round of “This or That,” revealing our quirky tastes and preferences in all things baking and beyond.
We celebrate the incredible guests who’ve joined us over the past year and share which ones left the biggest impression…and even ask the big question: would we trade a shot at The Great Canadian Baking Show to keep this podcast going?
Looking ahead, we share our hopes and dreams for the next year of Baking Scraps and beyond. Whether you’ve been with us from the first crumb or just stumbled upon us now, this is a warm, messy, and delicious celebration of all things baking, community, and friendship.
So grab your apron (and maybe a cupcake) and join us — here’s to many more years of sharing the sweet and the sticky with you! 🧁✨
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina are joined by the Sweet Elora Khanom, the Season 8 winner of The Great Canadian Baking Show.
Almost a year to the day since she first stepped inside that iconic tent, Elora reflects on her whirlwind experience…from her love of mangos and all things pink to the technical challenges that still keep her up at night. She opens up about the moments when things didn’t go according to plan (including one unforgettable mishap during Cake Week) and how quick thinking and creativity helped her rise to the top.
Tune in for a heartfelt chat with one of Canada’s most charming and humble champions.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina are joined by the sweet Pamela Kramer, a talented home baker and finalist from Season 8 of The Great Canadian Baking Show. In this inspiring episode, Pamela shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time in the baking tent, the strong and lasting friendships she built with fellow bakers, and how the experience helped her reconnect with self-care and self-love. 🤍
If you’re a fan of baking competitions, personal growth, and heartfelt conversations, this episode is a must-listen!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lisa & Cristina are thrilled to welcome Great Canadian Baking Show Season 4 finalist @bakewithtanner to the Baking Scraps podcast.
Tanner is not only a talented baker and musician, but also a proud stay-at-home dad raising his sweet toddler in Winnipeg, Canada.
From living in the UK and Australia to whipping up stunning bakes on national TV, his journey is anything but ordinary.
Now, Tanner and his life partner are embarking on their next big adventure: searching for a surrogate to grow their beautiful little family. @our.missing.piece
Tune in for heartfelt stories, baking inspo, and a refreshing dose of real-life joy, resilience, and love.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.