On your marks, get set, bake!
The Great South African Bake Off returns for a fourth season, with new judges, hosts, and 12 new amateur bakers battling for the desiderate title. In April, BBC Lifestyle invited members of the media and food influencers to a sneak glimpse of the set where all the baking magic happens.
The pantry is fully stocked, workstations are fully equipped, and ovens are ready for The Great South African Bake Off season 4 kitchen. On Wednesday, 9 August, on BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) at 20:00, baking fans across South Africa will meet the new amateur bakers of the season, with judges Siba Mtongana and Paul Hartmann ready to taste, and hosts Lesego Tlhabi and Glen Biderman-Pam ready to keep the contestants in high spirits and viewers entertained when inevitable flops begin to show.
As you enter the kitchen, the smell of freshly baked goods fills the air. The judges put their aprons on to whip up a special treat for the media – a mix of two South African favourites: hot cross buns and pickled fish.
The judges created a casual atmosphere, having conversations with the media while putting the dish together. As for how they will approach judging, Mtongana says the key is to be kind but firm.
“They’re not going to be perfect. That’s why we have to be very encouraging. But, at the same time, if you’re going to come and compete, you better have done your research,” says Mtongana.
As the 12 amateur bakers race against the clock to deliver mouthwatering, show-stopping creations to impress the judges with their originality and skill in the hopes of reaching the final, hosts Tlhabi and Biderman-Pam will be there to guide them every step of the way.
Meet the season 4 contestants
AMBER GOVENDER
How would the other bakers describe you?
The other bakers would describe me as the stressed one. I was always stressing about everything!
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
I expected the time not to be a problem because I’m quite a fast baker but the time in the bake-off tent goes so fast you don’t even realise it.
CHIKOMBORERO “CHIKO” CHIOBVU
How would the other bakers describe you?
The just-in-time baker as I often left things to the 11th hour.
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
The execution of my showstoppers. One showstopper was such a huge expectation vs reality fail. I still feel the need to apologize to the whole nation of Mozambique for that one!
DWIGHT MORTON
How would the other bakers describe you?
The other bakers would probably see me as the naughty baker. Also, clueless but very technical. They may have also seen me as the easy baker because my flavours were all simple and not as exciting as theirs were.
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
I never expected the amount of work that goes into producing such a show. Everything that goes on in the background one does not see. I applaud the entire team for their hard work and determination to put together the best show ever
FAIZAL MEYER
How would the other bakers describe you?
I definitely think that the other bakers would describe me as the sassy jokester who brought light and laughter to the tent completely WINGING IT at times of adversity. For the most part, motivating everyone to keep on trying and to never give up and just have an absolute blast while doing it.
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
I expected the competition to be intense and fierce; however, all the bakers were so friendly, welcoming, and ready to share tips and ideas on how to make our bakes better. We formed a family-like environment that I wouldn’t change for anything!
NOMAHLUBI “HLUBI” GCILISHE
How would the other bakers describe you?
I would probably be described as one of two things: the Monologue Baker or the Last Minute Baker. The Monologue Baker on account that I always speaking to myself during the bake, and I’m not sure my neighbours in the tent appreciated it. LOL! Then— “Last Minute Louisa” was another one I took on. I was scrambling till the very last minute!
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
The entire experience was a whirlwind.
JOHAN VAN GASS
How would the other bakers describe you?
The serious baker.
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
My expectation was that it was a lot of fun, but in the end, it was even more fun than I could have imagined
MATSHELE “MATTY” MOLAOLI
How would the other bakers describe you?
Everyone knows me as the dancing and singing baker!
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
I thought I’d be as comfortable as I am in my kitchen, quite a shocker when baking with a limited timeframe.. man was I wrong
MIA STEENEKAMP
How would the other bakers describe you?
The anxious baker with very high expectations of herself.
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
I knew I was going to be challenged, especially on time, but never realised how I’d be racing against the clock! It was heart-stopping / heart-racing stuff
MARIZA MUNDOW
How would the other bakers describe you?
I think that the other bakers might find me a bit looney actually and probably also know that I was very nervous and ambitious. All the bakers were a great support to me, and we were so to each other. It was very comforting and assuring especially since I strive to do my ultimate best and perhaps set the bar quite high for myself, which adds extra stress.
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
I thought that I didn’t stand a chance in competing and accomplishing the challenges that we were given due to my self-taught baking skills, however, what I learned and experienced was incredible. One doesn’t quite realise how you can push yourself and learn fast! For me, it was a journey of absolute discovery and it has presented me with so much hunger to achieve even more. I just wish to grow and be able to create so much more in the world of baking and cooking, my favourite way to spend my time.
MOLEBATSI MOAGI
How would the other bakers describe you?
‘The Experimental Baker” as I was always trying new and outlandish flavours and techniques. I am now referred to as “The Flavour King” in our bakers’ group chat
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
One definite expectation versus reality disparity I felt throughout filming was the concepts around the time limits. Every challenge seemed to pass by in a flash! I could attribute that to being a freestyle baker myself, but the entire environment and baking with an entire crew of production watching every move seemed to prove a lot more challenging than I had first anticipated. Albeit it was an extremely fun and boundary-testing experience.
RIZWANA ADAM
How would the other bakers describe you?
The other bakers would probably describe me as the “Helpful Dark-Humoured Baker”
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
Things won’t go as planned no matter how much you practice!
XOLILE MAKUTOANA
How would the other bakers describe you?
A word that comes to mind is “wing it” – which means an Improviser. This was all of us as bakers.
Share one thing expectation vs reality of your experience?
It is not as easy as it seemed – I expected it would be a cruise experience, as this is something we do or are familiar with in our lives. In reality, it was a competition that required mental discipline, a huge amount of time and dedication. Definitely NOT a holiday!
ALSO SEE: Meet the hosts and judges for Season 4 of The Great South African Bake Off
Meet the hosts and judges for Season 4 of The Great South African Bake Off
Written by Maegan-Leigh Jacobs
Feature Image: Supplied
