The Great South African Bake Off, a local version of the hit British reality series will search for South Africa’s best amateur baker. Over the course of 10 weeks the series follows the trials and tribulations of the 12 contestants as they attempt to prove (excuse the pun!) their baking skills with three challenges per episode: Signature bake, Technical bake and Showstopper bake (see more info below). Each week the bakers tackle a different baking skill, which become progressively more difficult as the competition unfolds. The Bake Off Challenges are:
- Signature bake – Testing the bakers’ personality, creative flair and baking ability, the main challenge here is to produce something cute, rustic and altogether home-made-looking. It’s in this test that the Bakers get to show off their tried-and-tested handcooked bites.
- Technical bake – This challenge separates the wheat from the chaff. The contestants are given one basic recipe, with the same ingredients and instructions, and they then need to produce the finished product without necessarily knowing what the end product should look like, so it will be their interpretation of the recipe
- Showstopper bake – The bakers are able to showcase their depth of skill and talent. The complexities of this task call for a professional standard in taste and appearance. The judges will be looking for the most impressive and elaborate creations which tastes first-class.
It is rumoured that the opening episode of The Great South Africa Bake Off will be about cakes – from the Signature Bake challenge of 12 perfect and identical fruit cupcakes, to the daunting challenge of the Technical Bake. Apparently the final challenge of the first week, the Showstopper, will require that bakers to pull out all the stops and wow the judges with their version of an Inside Surprise Chocolate Cake. I can’t wait!
Watching this series will probably inspire you to try your hand at baking. If you find the idea a bit daunting, why don’t you book a customised cooking lesson and learn the basics of baking? The lessons takes place in your own kitchen!
Be sure to visit Linda’s Bake & Pack in Melville to stock up on baking ingredients and equipment. You will be glad you did!
The series will be judged by chefs Shirley Guy and Tjaart Walraven and presented by comedians Anne Hirsch and Donovan Goliath. The ten-part series is produced by Rapid Blue and will air on BBC Lifestyle, DStv channel 174 in October 2015.
