In this episode of Scrap Recap, we jump into Fairytale Week where the theme is whimsical, sparkly, a little chaotic - and some like it more than others. The Baking Scraps and the Fabulous Baker Boyz have plenty to say about the mix of magic and mayhem in the tent, especially when it comes to the smart strategies of the four incredible bakers who are left. There is excitement, confusion, and a lot of laughter as everyone puts in their take of a week that feels like stepping into a glitter-filled storybook.

Things heat up with a colourful Signature and a Technical that leaves the whole panel talking. The textures, the timing, the tricky components, and the emotional moments give us a lot to unpack. There are jokes about the buzzwords that always seem to show up and appreciation for how hard it is to stay consistent when the pressure is on. It is one of those weeks where even the smallest details spark big reactions.

The Showstopper sends the conversation into overdrive with ambitious concepts, wild ideas, and storybook structures that were pulled off beautifully. We give our own thoughts on moving pieces, towering designs, and the challenge of creating magic with limited tools.

As we near the finale of Season 7, we celebrate milestone moments, reflect on the creativity in the tent, and agree that Fairytale Week delivered everything we love about this show.

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The baking talk heats up! With only five bakers left in the competition, and (possibly?) a Fairytale Week on the horizon, Lisa, Cristina, Steven and Vincent break down the birthday pie signature challenge, swooning over flavour choices and intricate sugar work. We debate par-baking versus raw crusts, share favorite pie plate materials, and even wander into savory pie territory...cheese, onions, caviar, and all.

This week, the bakers tackled the tricky Egyptian Lenza technical challenge, and we swap shortcuts for pomegranate prep and suggest possible alternatives for home bakers. It’s a mix of laughter, learning, and layered pastry talk: just the way Baking Scraps listeners like it. There’s plenty of friendly disagreement about whether to par-bake or risk it all, whether puff pastry should be sprinkled with a spoonful of sugar or left bare, and whether to use glass or metal pie plates - and we can’t resist a few tangents about flavor pairings that might be a little too adventurous for our own kitchens. When the technical challenge arrives, we collectively question the sanity of attempting something so complex under time pressure, and somehow end up swapping ideas for how we’d “simplify” it… which, of course, get increasingly elaborate as we talk.

Discussion of the Mille Feuille Showstopper brings out everyone’s inner pastry artist, and by the end, we celebrate the baker who won the Star Baker crown this week, reflect sadly on another departure, and hope against hope that the “Curse of the Star Baker” is not a real thing.

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This week on Baking Scraps, Dominic Ménard-Bilodeau joins Cristina and Lisa to reflect on his unforgettable run on The Great Canadian Baking Show. Fresh off his Week 5 elimination, Dominic opens up to us about the high level of talent this season, the pressure of limited practice time, and the emotional challenge of leaving just before the final stretch.

The conversation dives into everything from Pastry Week predictions to Maple Week memories (where Dominic earned his “King of Maple” title) and his creative approach to flavour in his bakes. He shares how his baking obsession began, the story behind his memorable “treasure box” audition bake, and the long-kept secret of filming under wraps (complete with an excuse that we are thrilled and delighted to find that we contributed to!).

It’s a warm, funny, and inspiring conversation that celebrates growth, creativity, and the joy of baking under pressure.

Clips and footage from The Great Canadian Baking Show © 2025 Boat Rocker’s Proper Television Inc., in association with CBC/Radio-Canada and Love Productions.

Used under fair dealing for review and commentary. Photography © Geoff George / CBC. Used for review and commentary under fair dealing.

All other content © 2025 Baking Scraps Podcast. All rights reserved.

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In this episode of Scrap Recap, we dive into Indulgence Week on The Great Canadian Baking Show, where luxury takes center stage and even the cherries glitter! We unpack all the lavish challenges, the creative flavor combinations, and all the high-stakes energy that comes with trying to make mini cheesecakes worthy of the title “indulgent.”

We also get into the week’s wild Technical Challenge, featuring the viral Dubai chocolate bar turned into a giant cookie. It’s a bake that has us talking about textures, fillings, and just how over-the-top a single cookie can be. Vincent might actually be the only person alive who hadn’t heard of the Dubai chocolate craze until now, but he’s already planning to make his own kataifi to try it out. Steven, meanwhile, wants absolutely nothing to do with that plan.

And once we get to chatting about the incredible details and thoughtfulness that went into the Showstopper (a CAKE-WRAPPED CAKE?? What is that even ABOUT?!), we can’t help but marvel at how talented these bakers are. Every episode feels tighter than the last, and at this point, it’s almost impossible to guess who might go home. Watching them create such detailed, imaginative bakes each week is inspiring, and saying goodbye never gets easier.

By the end, we’ve covered all things indulgent: sparkle, skill, and the difficulty in seeing anyone go home. It’s decadent, unpredictable, and totally Baking Scraps.

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This week, the Baking Scraps celebrated the first-ever Maple Week on The Great Canadian Baking Show with a very special guest, Rejean Mayer (the King of Maple!), joining us for the discussion. Lisa couldn’t make it this week, but the rest of the team had plenty to say about the syrupy sweetness of the challenges, and the incredible talent of the bakers this season.

Cristina, Rejean, and the Fabulous Baker Boyz Steven and Vincent explore the rich traditions behind maple-based desserts and how this iconic Canadian ingredient can shine in both classic recipes and inventive new creations, even if a couple of us - ahem! - aren’t the biggest fans of maple.

We also unpack a technical challenge that tested precision and patience, share our thoughts on single-dessert versus multi-bake showstoppers, and reflect on the risks of working with sticky syrups and hot sugar (and empathize with one baker who unfortunately got injured this week). The episode celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and nostalgia that maple brings to every bake, and how each baker combined that classic taste with their own individual heritage.

Join us for a conversation that captures everything we love about baking, Canadian traditions, and the joy that is the Great Canadian Baking Show. It might be a little bit sappy…but that’s why we love it.

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The Baking Scraps crew is back "in the tent" (or rather, peeking through the door) for Carnival Week, and it’s a wild ride of deep-fried dough, bold flavors, and big laughs! After taking a short break to reflect on listener feedback, Lisa, Cristina, and Steven return with gratitude, energy, and a fresh appreciation for the bakers of Season 9.

The team dives into the Great Canadian Baking Show episode, celebrating standout moments like Dominic’s peach-themed pies, Jennifer’s Korean hot dog mochi rings (complete with instant noodle powder!), and Jo’s beautifully simple apple hand pies. We admire how the bakers’ confidence has grown, leading to more authentic, creative bakes full of color and personality.

From Margaret’s sesame mochi donuts and Ryan’s churro cones to Tamara’s Newfoundland toutons with rum glaze, we can’t help but be impressed by the imagination and heart in every bake. Along the way, there’s plenty of laughter, including a detour into Newfoundland traditions; a memorable “deep-frying cat turds” moment; and a chat about pop culture crossovers (hello, K-Pop Demon Hunters meets Bake Off?).

We also share our own kitchen adventures recreating the week’s bakes, including Lisa’s scrambling for a Prinjolata Technical Bake recipe (since CBC didn’t share it this week) and Cristina and Steven's thoughts on mastering Italian meringue.

The recap wraps up with praise for the Cookie Mask Showstopper Challenge, featuring jaw-dropping designs, and a sad farewell to the latest baker to leave, who will be missed. We now look ahead to next week: Maple Week (and Steven teases his secret for silky maple buttercream!).

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This week on Baking Scraps, Vincent and Steven step in as guest hosts while Cristina’s away, and the laughs come easy with our guest: the charming, witty, and wonderfully honest Shaneka Ekanayake, the second baker to leave the tent in Season 9 of The Great Canadian Baking Show.

Shaneka opens up about her love of cake (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, thank you very much), what first inspired her to bake, and the heartfelt reason she and her family moved to Canada: to support her son’s dream of becoming a pilot. Between stories of family, cake, and why she won’t let anyone into her kitchen while she’s baking, we get to see Shaneka’s humor, warmth, and honesty shine through.

We chat about the strength of her support system, why she hasn’t been able to watch the Bread Week episode yet, and why she keeps a little Santa outside her house all year long. (Spoiler: she would celebrate Christmas every day if she could!)

It’s a funny, tender, and delightfully festive conversation that reminds us why we love bakers like Shaneka…full of heart, hope, and holiday spirit.

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