CBC today unveiled the latest batch of budding bakers for Season 8 of THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (8×60), premiering Sunday, October 6. This season, 10 enthusiastic bakers from across the country will challenge themselves and put their skills to the test in the iconic tent for the chance to claim the title of Canada’s best amateur baker. New episodes will be available to stream weekly on Sundays on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET, followed by broadcast on CBC TV at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) local time.
Season 8 will consist of eight episodes, and include several exciting new themed weeks. Comedians, actors, writers and Second City alumni, Alan Shane Lewis and Ann Pornel return as hosts, alongside esteemed pastry chefs and expert judges Bruno Feldeisen and Kyla Kennaley.
Based on the beloved British format, each episode features the bakers competing in three challenges – the Signature Bake, the Technical Bake, and the Show Stopper – during which they will rely on their home grown knowledge and personal backgrounds to ensure that their delectable dishes stand out. Once their dishes have been tasted and critiqued, the judges will decide who will be the week’s Star Baker and who will be sent home. In the final episode, the remaining three bakers will face off for the coveted cake plate and the title of Canada’s best amateur baker.
Meet the 10 bakers mixing it up in the tent this season:
- Christine Campbell, 46, a customer service rep from Saint John, New Brunswick
- Elora Khanom, 42, an e-commerce process assistant from Edmonton, Alberta
- Erica Schell, 30, an ecologist from Calgary, Alberta
- Guillaume Boivin, 35, a psychologist from Saguenay, Quebec
- Jen Childs, 45, a bookkeeper from Esquimalt, British Columbia
- Marcus Tam , 30, a tax manager from Vancouver, British Columbia
- Pamela Kramer, 34, a cooperative education teacher from Stayner, Ontario
- Patty De Guia, 50, a stay at home cat mom from Toronto, Ontario
- Réjean Mayer, 58, a retired communications manager from Ottawa, Ontario
- Rita Vathje, 59, a retiree from Calgary, Alberta
Season 7 winner, Loïc Fauteux-Goulet, a 33 year-old francophone high school teacher from British Columbia took home the title and ceremonial cake plate after competing against semi-finalists Camila García Hernández of Toronto, Ontario and Candice Riley of Brampton, Ontario. Fans eager for a taste of what’s to come can catch up on past seasons on CBC Gem before diving into the new season.
THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW is produced by Boat Rocker’s Proper Television in association with CBC and Love Productions. The executive producers are Cathie James and Lesia Capone, and the series producer is Mark Van de Ven. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Jennifer Dettman is Executive Director, Unscripted Content; and Susan Taylor is Executive in Charge of Production. The format is owned by Love Productions and distributed by Sky. THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW is proud to welcome Gay Lea as a new sponsor this season. Returning sponsors include Dairy Farmers of Canada and Cuisinart.