Lisa and Cristina’s next guest is none other than Arvin Garcia —winner of The Great Australian Bake Off Season 8!

Known for his incredible creativity, precision, and quiet confidence, Arvin wowed the judges (and us!) with his stunning bakes. And seriously… who could ever forget that Tiramisu masterpiece?!

We dive into his baking journey, his baking in the shed experience, and the artistry behind his showstopping creations. You won’t want to miss this one!

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This week on Baking Scraps podcast, Lisa & Cristina welcome Dimi Jayawardene, the bright and most lovely and talented finalist from Season 8 of The Great Australian Bake Off.

Dimi wowed all of us with her beautiful creative bakes, bold flavours, and infectious and inspirational energy. We’ll be chatting about her journey to the shed, her favourite bakes, and all the behind-the-scenes fun (including her secret kitchen that’s ONLY for photo shoots - brilliant!).🩷

Don’t miss this one—stay tuned for laughs, lots of inspiration, and of course, plenty of baking talk!

NOTE: This episode includes SPOILERS for the Great Australian Bake Off, Season 8.

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This Week on Baking Scraps: A joyful chat with Elliot Styche!

First, Lisa & Cristina open the episode with a little rundown of what we brought and who we saw when we attended the Vancouver open call for Season 9 casting of the Great Canadian Baking Show this past week - it was a fabulous day with some incredible alumni, efficient and friendly crew, and some new and familiar local BC bakers. Check out the Instagram handles of some who impressed us!

Then, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas - at least, it was when we recorded this week’s episode! Lisa and Cristina kick off a special three-part series featuring the finalists from The Great Australian Bake Off Season 8, starting with the one and only Elliot Styche.

Elliot shares how his upbringing on a Yorkshire farm shaped his love of food and gave him the skills to pull off an impressive dinner party with speed and ease. We chat about what brought him to Australia; his journey to Bake Off; what’s next for him; and his special bond with fellow finalists Dimi and Arvin (who we’ll hear from in the next two episodes!).

Of course, it wouldn’t be The Baking Scraps without a round of This or That, a deep dive into Elliot’s thoughts on pineapple on pizza, and his very own “Baking Scrap.” Plus, we uncover some very interesting facts about Australian wildlife and chocolate—though, fair warning, we don’t have a fact-checker, so take them with a pinch of salt (or sugar!).

Tune in for laughs, baking tales, and plenty of joyful chaos!

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Lisa and Cristina are thrilled to welcome the amazing Alina Fintineanu to the Baking Scraps podcast!

Alina is a Season 5 contestant from The Great Canadian Baking Show and a graduate of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu pastry school in Paris. Not only is she incredibly talented, but she’s also one of the most gracious and supportive bakers we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Beautiful inside and out, Alina’s passion for baking and artistry truly shines through in everything she does.

Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation with this extraordinary baker!

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In the first Season 2 episode of the Baking Scraps, Lisa & Cristina sit down with Marian Castelino, a talented baker from Season 5 of The Great Canadian Baking Show. Born in Bahrain to Sri Lankan parents, Marian identifies as a "third culture kid," shaped by her multicultural upbringing. She shares her journey of moving to Canada, where she and her husband—who also emigrated from Bahrain—finally met.

Marian talks about her career as a designer, how her love for baking began with creating nut-free treats for her daughter who has nut allergies, and how she worked through her insecurities as she entered the competition. Despite being a self-described “weirdo”, Marian reflects on how being on the show helped her embrace her uniqueness and gain confidence in her individuality.

We also dive into how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted social life, how her experience on the show shifted her career as a designer, and the lasting friendships she formed with her fellow bakers. Join us for a conversation on overcoming self-doubt, embracing your identity, and the powerful connections that come from the love of baking.

Recorded November 11, 2024

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Join Lisa & Cristina for an exciting episode of Baking Scraps featuring the fabulous Dyana O’Brien, also known as the Rockabilly Baker! As a finalist on Season 6 of The Great American Baking Show, filmed in the iconic Bake Off tent with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, Dyana brought her unique flair to the competition—and she’s here to share her journey with us!

With her striking retro style, complete with victory rolls and funky vintage outfits, Dyana seamlessly blends her love of baking with her passion for music as a singer in a rockabilly band. Discover how her eclectic interests inspire her creations and how she stylishly matched her wardrobe to her bakes in the tent.

In this episode, we’ll chat about the highs and lows of being a baking finalist, her creative process, and how she and her husband embrace their empty nest by pursuing their individual passions. Tune in for a lively conversation filled with inspiration, nostalgia, and of course, a generous sprinkle of baking wisdom. Whether you’re a fan of retro style or just love delicious treats, this episode is sure to rock your world!

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Join Lisa & Cristina in this lively episode of Baking Scraps as they welcome the talented food writer Micheline Maynard! With decades of experience as a journalist and author, Micheline shares her fascinating insights into the world of food culture.

We explore the intriguing differences and similarities between The Great Canadian Baking Show and The Great British Bake Off, and whether or not Paul Hollywood may be going soft. Micheline also discusses her journey into food writing and how her Canadian connections have influenced her work and her life as a foodie.

To add a twist of fun, we play a game of "This or That," which sparks a flurry of entertaining stories and very strong opinions (especially on - ahem - raisins). Join us for a blend of culinary conversation and playful moments you won't want to miss.

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In this episode, Lisa and Cristina are excited to welcome Fred Csibi-Levin, the talented scientist-turned-pastry chef known as Doc Macaron.

With a background in pharmaceuticals, Fred made the significant decision to leave his career and fully embrace his passion for pastry. He shares how his scientific expertise influences his baking techniques and how he’s dedicated to teaching others through online classes and his vibrant social media presence. Fred competed in the 2022 Christmas Cookie Challenge, showcasing his remarkable creations and unique approach to baking.

Join us as we explore his journey, the challenges he faced, and the upcoming cookbook set to launch on November 26th, filled with inspiring macaron recipes and insights on how to master this tricky cookie. This conversation promises to be both enlightening and delicious, diving deep into the world of creative baking and the balance between science and art.

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