The Great Canadian Baking Show

Premise

Each season features 10 amateur baking contestants from across Canada competing in themed challenges. Adapted from The Great British Bake Off, each episode includes three rounds: the Signature Bake, the Technical Challenge, and the Showstopper. After tasting and critique, the judges select a weekly Star Baker and eliminate one contestant. In the finale, the final three bakers compete for the title and the GCBS cake stand.

Production

Produced by Proper Television in association with CBC and Love Productions, the show is filmed at the Canadian Film Centre in Toronto during mid-summer. The first season premiered in November, while seasons 2 and 3 premiered in September. Executive producer is Cathie James; series producers include Marike Emery (seasons 1–4) and Mark Ven de Ven (season 5). Dan Levy, a self-proclaimed fan of the British series, actively pursued the hosting role. The series was renewed for a second season on February 7, 2018, with returning hosts and judges. A third season in 2019 brought new judges and hosts. The fourth season, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, aired in early 2021 with new hosts. The fifth season aired in 2021 with the same hosts and judges.

Reception

John Doyle of The Globe and Mail called the first episode boring and lacking the eccentric flair and idiosyncratic contestants of the original. His criticism of Dan Levy's 'feyness' was called homophobic by Levy and others. Tim Forster of Eater Montreal said the first episode seemed bland due to poor editing and a rushed pace from a shorter running time. Joanna Schneller of the Toronto Star found the judging by Bruno Feldeisen and Rochelle Adonis consistently dull and suggested they should instruct on dish significance. Greg David of TV, eh? called the show unapologetically entertaining and praised the chemistry of hosts Levy and Chan. Katherine DeClerq of Women's Post said she was pleasantly surprised and in love with the series, though she noted the dry humour could be drier and the puns less cheesy.

Season overview

The inaugural season had 10 bakers over eight weeks, won by Sabrina Degni of Montreal, Quebec, with runners-up Vandana Jain and Linda Longson. The second season aired from September 19, 2018, won by Andrei Godoroja of Vancouver, British Columbia; runners-up were Sachin Seth and Megan Stasiewich. The third season aired from September 18, 2019, won by Nataliia Shevchenko of Edmonton, Alberta; runners-up were Colin Asuncion and Jodi Robson. A holiday special on October 30, 2019 featured four bakers from the first two seasons.

The fourth season, delayed by the pandemic, premiered February 14, 2021, won by Raufikat Oyawoye of Milton, Ontario; runners-up were Tanner Davies and Mahathi Mundluru. The fifth season premiered October 17, 2021, won by Vincent Chan of Mississauga, Ontario; runners-up were Aimee DeCruyenaere and Steve Levitt. A second holiday special on November 18, 2021 featured four bakers from previous seasons. The sixth season premiered October 2, 2022, won by Lauren Tjoe of Tsawwassen, British Columbia; runners-up were Chi Nguyễn and Zoya Thawer. A third holiday special on November 16, 2022 featured four bakers from seasons 2, 4, and 5.