South Africa's much loved baking competition,
The Great South African Bake Off
Lifestyle, DStv channel 174 from Tuesday, October 17 at 8pm.
Meet the amateur bakers, who all have their rolling pins ready to see if they have what it takes to be the ultimate Star Baker.
AMEER CLOETE Hometown: Cape TownOccupation: Studying Bachelor of EducationAmeer’s love of baking came from the sheer enjoyment of experimenting in the kitchen and finding out what works and what doesn’t.
ALICE CHAN Hometown: PretoriaOccupation: Senior Lecturer and researcher at University of PretoriaAlice found her passion for baking when she moved to South Africa over 25 years ago. Whilst learning English, her teacher would bring in cakes and share recipes, which opened up a whole new world and passion.
BIANCA BREYTENBACH Hometown: Cape TownOccupation: Social WorkerThree years ago, Bianca offered to make a cake for her friend’s child’s first birthday and ever since has been baking non-stop and loves it.
BRYAN BERGSTEEDT Hometown: Cape TownOccupation: Human Anatomy lecturer at Stellenbosch UniversityThanks to his mother forever being in the kitchen and rustling up sweet delights, Bryan has loved baking from a young age with his twin brother.
CAMERON SNYMAN Hometown: DurbanOccupation: Self EmployedFamily is what first got Cameron into baking and ever since primary school it has been a passion.
DESMOND GEORGE SOLOMON Hometown: JohannesburgOccupation: Labour and HR ConsultantDesmond’s inspiration for baking comes from his Lebanese ancestry and family parties at his granny’s, where his whole family enjoyed their traditional home baked cakes.
KERSHNI NAIDOO Hometown: PietermaritzburgOccupation: Home ExecutiveSince becoming a mum over five years ago, the challenge of making perfect birthday cakes is what first got Kirshni into the kitchen and baking.
MADELINE KRIEL Hometown: BredasdorpOccupation: Grade 12 LearnerFrom growing up on a farm and helping her mother in the kitchen, Madeline discovered that she has a knack for baking and has really got into experimenting in the kitchen – but in her eyes, nothing beats a classic chocolate cake.
KHANYA MCHUNU Hometown: LadysmithOccupation: Community Development OfficerOriginally inspired to bake by her grandmother as a child, it was just under a year ago that Khanya got seriously into baking. Thanks to learning from her grandmother, Khanya doesn’t even own a pair of kitchen measuring scales.
GERRARD KISTANNA Hometown: JohannesburgOccupation: Medical laboratory professionalGerrard was first inspired to get into the kitchen and bake thanks to his mum and her delicious cakes. It was only six years ago, however, that he started to properly get into baking and put his skills to the test.
SIMMI RAMNARIAN Hometown: DurbanOccupation: sales / receptionSimmi has been baking for over 30 years and it has always been a pastime that has given her a lot of enjoyment. Her main pleasure in baking is making biscuits.
SIBONGILE MHLABA Hometown: JohannesburgOccupation: Freelance interior designer / psychology studentSince watching how to make a Baked Alaska on TV and then recreating it that very night with her own twist, Sibongile has always had a passion for cooking and is motivated to make good food and cakes for those she cares for.