Chris Stefanski sits down with Lisa and Cristina to talk about his path into baking and his experience competing on The Great American Baking Show.

Chris shares how he first got serious about baking and what pushed him to apply for the show. He walks through the audition process and the moment he found out he would be stepping into the famous tent. The conversation moves into the reality of filming a baking competition, including the pressure of timed challenges, baking under cameras, and the relationships that form between contestants during filming.

Chris also revisits one of the most memorable moments of his time on the show: a choux pastry bake that went off the rails. He describes what it felt like as the challenge unfolded and how contestants handle those moments once the clock stops.

The episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at competition baking and a glimpse into Chris’s approach to creativity in the kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina are joined by Joanne Mandet, winner of Season 9 of The Great Canadian Baking Show, talking travel, coming home, and the kind of joy that lives in simple, beautiful moments.

Jo shares what it was like for her to compete on the show: the nerves, the lack of sleep, the balancing act with family and work, and the quiet decision to trust her own style instead of chasing something flashy. We talk about growth through the audition process, the importance of a solid support system, and what happens when you focus on the process instead of the outcome, and learn from the bakers around you without losing yourself.

And, of course, we play This or That. Butter tarts or Nanaimo bars. Swiss meringue or American buttercream. Chiffon or sponge. Jo's answers spark stories about childhood desserts, cultural roots, favorite travels, and the small rituals that make food meaningful.

It’s warm, honest, reflective, and full of laughter...an episode about why sometimes the simple things really are the best things.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Baking Scraps, we’re talking about what it really feels like to put yourself out there.

With Cristina away on vacation, Lisa and special guest (and expert on applying to baking shows) Steven Levitt sit down with hopeful home bakers who have experience applying to baking shows and know the vulnerability of hitting “submit”. Some are still applying; some have decided to step back; all of them are still baking.

This was a chance for us to feature some incredible talents that the world hasn’t yet seen, as a first glimpse into the lives and experiences behind the ones on your television screen. What does it really take to apply to be on a baking show? How hard does it hit the ego when you aren’t accepted? And is it worth it to do it anyway?

The answers are honest, funny, tender, and encouraging. This is an episode about courage, waiting, self-doubt, resilience, and why it’s important to keep showing up, even when the outcome is uncertain.

We’re excited to introduce you to some of the talent you may one day be seeing on your television screen, so that you can also encourage them in their journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.