The dessert-making skills of a budding Surrey baker are showcased on an elimination-type TV show devoted to chocolate treats.

Newton-area student Jujhar Mann, 21, is among 10 B次元官网网址渉ome bakersB次元官网网址� competing for a $50,000 grand prize on The Food NetworkB次元官网网址檚 billed as B次元官网网址渁n ooey-gooey, decadent chocolate dessert competition series.B次元官网网址�

The second-season show is another step toward a pastry-chef career for Mann, who says he wasnB次元官网网址檛 encouraged to bake as a child, but always admired the art of baking and cake decorating. He dreamed of becoming a pastry chef and having his own bakeshop one day.

B次元官网网址淢y parents never said no, it just wasnB次元官网网址檛 the norm for a South Asian boy to bake,B次元官网网址� Mann said Friday (March 19).

B次元官网网址淚t just wasnB次元官网网址檛 encouraged, and it was difficult because I kind of felt trapped, not doing what I wanted to do,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚 only really started baking in 2018, three years ago. IB次元官网网址檝e always been a creative person, hands-on, working with my hands, but I never baked at home. IB次元官网网址檓 not like other contestants who say theyB次元官网网址檝e been baking since age four, or whatever.B次元官网网址�

As a creative outlet, Mann started baking after completing a stressful first year of business studies at Simon Fraser University. Last year, when classes went online during the pandemic, he applied to appear on B次元官网网址淕reat Chocolate Showdown,B次元官网网址� was selected, and flew to Toronto to film the eight-episode series, which airs Mondays.

Meantime, he was also handling inquiries for the online bakeshop heB次元官网网址檇 launched B次元官网网址渇or funB次元官网网址� as an in August 2018.

B次元官网网址淚t was so much fun being on the show but also intense, because I was a full-time student with four classes and it was all supposed to be a secret, too, me being on the show,B次元官网网址� Mann recalled. B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 take any orders during that time, because I just couldnB次元官网网址檛.B次元官网网址�

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Launched as JujharB次元官网网址檚 Dessert Bar, MannB次元官网网址檚 business is now known as Mann & Co Bakeshop, a portal for custom cakes, dessert bars and more. His plan is to open a storefront location in Newton later this year.

On the TV show, the Kwantlen Park Secondary grad said heB次元官网网址檚 up against competitors from Texas, Portland, Philadelphia, Toronto and other North America cities, with all desserts judged by Anna Olson, Steve Hodge and Cynthia Stroud.

B次元官网网址淚 watched the first season (of the show) last year and I contacted the contestants to ask them about it, the experience, and then I applied to be on it,B次元官网网址� Mann recalled.

B次元官网网址淧eople talk about how COVID stops them from doing things,B次元官网网址� he added, B次元官网网址渂ut for me it was helpful, because I could do online school and the show, and after the filming I attended a pastry school in Las Vegas.B次元官网网址� I just returned from there last week. My business degree ends next month, and now I am a pastry chef as well. My dreams are becoming a reality.B次元官网网址�

Those dreams now include expanding his business and doing more TV shows B次元官网网址� maybe doing his own one day, too.

Online, Mann can be seen in .

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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