After eight weeks of showstopping bakes,Vincent Chan, 55, a graphic designer from Toronto, Ontario, won THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW title and the ceremonial cake plate in tonight’s finale episode. Meanwhile, two fellow Ontarians, Aimee DeCruyenaere from Ottawa and Steve Levitt from Aurora, bid farewell to the tent as top three finalists.
The finale saw the remaining three bakers take on the formidable challenge of a Mousse Tart for the Signature Bake. They then had to try their hand at Delizie Al Limone for the Technical Bake. For the last Show Stopper of the season, the bakers had to push their creativity to the limit with a Baking Journey Cake using flavours, techniques, and decoration to demonstrate how far they’ve come.
Growing up, Chan would often visit his uncle’s Chinese bakery and was mesmerized by the precision of the pastry work. He’s always been a big fan of THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW and has applied for THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW since Season 2, earning his place in the tent on this fourth try. He earned the title of Star Baker twice throughout the course of Season 5, during Celebration Week as well as Pie and Tart Week. Memorable bakes included a “Pretty in Pink” Meringue Centrepiece with Filipino-style cashew dacquoise for Celebration Week, and his hand-raised Oxtail Stew pie in memory of his mother for Pie and Tart Week. Chan wowed the judges in the finale with his Mousse Tart and his Baking Journey Cake, which he titled “Journey to Elegance”, featuring tiers of yellow cake with pineapple basil compote and banana cake filled with pecans and pineapple, then topped with a vanilla crème caramel.
Fans can continue to get their sugar fix next week with THE GREAT CANADIAN HOLIDAY BAKING SHOW, a special episode airing Sunday, December 12 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem. Hosts Ann Pornel and Alan Shane Lewis welcome back Season 3 bakers Colin Asuncion and Jodi Robson, Season 2’s Sachin Seth and Season 1’s Linda Longson for three holiday-themed challenges.
