In this episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina sit down with Megan Stasiewich from Season 2 of The Great Canadian Baking Show, a baker whose creativity and artistry made her an early standout in the tent.

The conversation begins with genuine fangirl energy as both hosts share how Megan inspired their own baking journeys. Megan reflects on her experience entering the competition during the early years of the show, when contestants had far fewer resources and little idea what to expect.

She shares behind-the-scenes insights about the audition process, the intense pressure of technical challenges, and what it felt like navigating the competition without the knowledge newer contestants now have. Megan also talks about the collaborative spirit inside the tent, explaining how the absence of a cash prize helped create a supportive environment where bakers genuinely rooted for each other.

Beyond the show, Megan discusses the creative freedom to experiment with new ideas she has as a professional baker, and the philosophy that guides her baking: have fun, stay confident, and embrace the unpredictability of working with real ingredients.

The episode is full of humor and plenty of baking wisdom from a fan favorite.

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

In this episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina reconnect with returning guest Niki Behjou, one of the podcast’s earliest supporters, to chat about how far everyone has come since Niki first appeared on the show while launching her NikiBakes cookbook.

Niki shares encouragement, behind-the-scenes insights, and thoughtful advice about building a baking presence. The conversation also touches on personal challenges, resilience, and how creativity and baking can carry people through difficult seasons.

It’s a heartfelt catch-up between friends who continue to cheer each other on in the kitchen and beyond.

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

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.

In this heartfelt episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina sit down with The Great Australian Baking Show finalist Vanessa Furci for a conversation that is so much more than Bake Off.

Vanessa shares how her Italian heritage shaped her love of food, growing up cooking alongside her nonna in a garage kitchen filled with big tables, loud laughter, and even bigger flavours. Now a nurse working in oncology and a mom of two little ones, she opens up about how food connects generations, carries memory, and becomes a love language during both joyful and deeply difficult seasons of life.

We talk about the emotional story behind the Bake Off cookbook her nonna gifted her before she passed away, the surreal moment she received the acceptance call while at a Wiggles concert, and what it was like to film the series while raising babies at home. Vanessa opens up about juggling motherhood, auditions, hospital visits, intense technical challenges, and the unforgettable moment her family surprised her in the Grand Final.

This episode is about legacy, Italian traditions, blind dates that last seven hours, and marrying the guy you swore you never would.

Bring tissues. And maybe a biscuit.

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

This week Lisa and Cristina are joined by GCBS Season 9 finalist Ryan Gridzak for a reflective, honest conversation about his journey on the Great Canadian Baking Show and everything that came after. We talk about the application process, the reality of filming, and how much time has passed since stepping out of the tent, along with what it feels like to look back on the experience with perspective. Ryan shares what the show meant to him, in the connections formed; the confidence gained; and the once in a lifetime nature of being part of something so special.

A steelworker from Sault Ste. Marie, Ryan may have seemed like an unexpected choice for the show, but week after week, his skill at baking and decorating surpassed all expectations. Ryan explains how much learning happens behind the scenes, from researching unfamiliar techniques to developing backup plans under pressure, and why surviving each week felt like its own victory. We talk about format dreams, technical challenges, favorite bakes, judging realities, and the limitations of television when it comes to showing the full scope of a baker’s creativity.

The conversation widens into life beyond the show, touching on parenting, family, and the huge support his wife and family gave him throughout his time preparing for and being on the show. This conversation about balancing ambition with family life, the joy of milestones, and how his relationship with baking continues to evolve, is a great start to a brand new Baking Scraps season.

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

This episode brings together three incredible Bake Off champions for a lively, heartfelt, and wonderfully nerdy deep dive into the world of competitive baking. Lisa and Cristina are joined by Peter Sawkins, winner of Great British Bake Off 2020, Laura Foo, winner of Great Australian Bake Off 2023, and Loïc Fauteux-Goulet, winner of Great Canadian Baking Show 2023. Each baker shares the winding path that led them to their respective tents, from Loïc discovering his passion through late-night Bake Off marathons, to Laura’s roots in Singaporean home baking and her pandemic baking adventures, to Peter becoming utterly captivated by the show at age ten.

The bakers compare the unique rhythms of their different franchises, reflecting on the pressure, the unpredictability, and the strange comfort of baking under the watchful eye of a production crew. Together they recount the chaos, the camaraderie, the victories, the disasters, and the moments when everything just seemed to magically work in the tent (or shed!).

By the end, the trio has formed a cross-continental pact: an international baking challenge club designed to push each other’s limits in the most joyful way possible.

This conversation is warm, generous, and full of insights for bakers of every level. Whether you are a Bake Off fan, a home baker, or just someone who loves hearing passionate people talk about the craft they adore, this episode will make you smile.

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