B次元官网网址

Skip to content

Culture fusion proves fruitful for Victoria doctor on televised baking competition

Langford baker bumped from the tent in The Great Canadian Baking show
30939176_web1_220929-VNE-BakingCompetition-CBC_2
Langford resident, and UVic staffer, John Fowler was sent home during the Nov. 6 episode of The Great Canadian Baking Show. (Carmen Cheung/Courtesy CBC)

Zoya Thawer is officially a star baker as she continues to keep her promise, fusing culture into her creations on The Great Canadian Baking Show.

The Victoria doctor is among the final four of the CBC television show and was named the star baker on the Nov. 6 episode on the same night fellow Islander John Fowler of Langford, was named bottom baker.

The televised competition started with 10 people making and tasting in a tent for judges B次元官网网址 and celebrated pastry chefs B次元官网网址 Kyla Kennaley and Bruno Feldeisen, as they whittle down to one winner.

Ahead of the season, Thawyer told Black Press Media she would share the flavour of her faith, Ismaili Muslim, and culture with East African roots and a touch of India. B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 a big part of it for me. ItB次元官网网址檚 always extra meaningful when that shows through. That is always where my focus is,B次元官网网址 she said.

The bakers do three B次元官网网址 signature, technical and showstopper B次元官网网址 bakes each episode. For the most recent, pastry night challenged the bakers with traditional chimney cakes, mango rose tart with shortcuts and finally baklava.

RELATED:

B次元官网网址淲e were lucky enough to try each otherB次元官网网址檚 bakes and everything was so different. It was cool to see how that concept merged into five completely different concepts,B次元官网网址 she said.

Traditionally the desert consists of nuts, syrup and phyllo B次元官网网址 a dough most recipes suggest purchasing.

B次元官网网址淚 thought it was super fun. IB次元官网网址檓 always one of those people who will plan out a bake over couple days and do something super complicated,B次元官网网址 she said.

She made two flavours and variations B次元官网网址 one a saffron and almond square and the other a cherry pine nut bracelet B次元官网网址損resented on a dramatic tower based on the Gardens of Paradise in the Quran, with platforms of the sweet treats staggered to the top.

Thawer remains the lone B.C. contestant, the recently departed Fowler shone during botanicals week. Those remain his favourite bakes of the season as well B次元官网网址 particularly the spruce tip cookies with hibiscus jelly. B次元官网网址淚 really do love those,B次元官网网址 the University of Victoria administrator said.

The Oct. 23 episode also happened to be the night his fiance Martin Cockerill surprised him with a viewing party with friends including Thawer.

While the episodes were filmed months ago, B次元官网网址淚 was pretty emotional last night watching it and my partner was as well,B次元官网网址 Fowler said the morning after his departure episode aired. B次元官网网址淵ou still get wrapped up into the show. It still makes me want to bake every time I watch it.B次元官网网址

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 you against the ingredients or the time or yourself really and the other bakers are there as support and sometimes helpers,B次元官网网址 he said, noting the hosts and judges were similarly supportive. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e there to critique you but theyB次元官网网址檙e also there to make you a better baker as well.B次元官网网址

Fowler said he left the tent more confident than when he arrived, something the judges also noticed.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e sending home somebody who came into the tent with strong skills and he just kept growing and improving challenge after challenge. I know that John is leaving here full of inspiration and ready to keep on baking,B次元官网网址 Kennaley said at the end of the episode.

Thawer is among the four remaining bakers as the semi-final episode airs on Nov. 13.

READ ALSO:

christine.vanreeuwk@blackpress.ca


 

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroom@vicnews.com.

Follow us on and and like us on

30939176_web1_copy_220929-VNE-BakingCompetition-CBC_3
Victoria doctor Zoya Thawer, who recently moved here from Edmonton, was named star baker in the Nov. 6 episode of The Great Canadian Baking Show. SheB次元官网网址檚 among the four final bakers. (Carmen Cheung/Courtesy CBC)


Christine van Reeuwyk

About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

Longtime journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more



(or

B次元官网网址

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }