Behind the Scenes with Dean Brettschneider and Sue Fleischl

New Zealand’s favourite baking show The Great Kiwi Bake Off is returning for its third season this Thursday October 14th. We spoke to baking legends and judges of the show Dean Brettschneider and Sue Fleischl ahead of the premiere.    

What can viewers expect from this season of the show?  

Dean: Viewers can expect a better class of home bakers from truly diverse cultures which makes for some interesting bakes and ingredient combinations. They are also very competitive this year. 

Is the show for everyone or just those keen home bakers?  

Sue: This is definitely a show for everyone, bakers or not. No matter what age or what you enjoy doing, this show is about real people who enjoy baking. I am sure there will be a few little tips and tricks our viewers may pick up along the way. 

How have this season’s contestants impressed you compared to the previous seasons? Has the level of competition been raised in your opinion? 

Sue: I have been very impressed by this season’s contestants. Every bake, challenge and showstopper has surprised both Dean and I. Throughout the show, all of this season’s contestants had their own outstanding skills, we just had to find out what they were.  

Our bakers became good friends right from the start and I was very moved by how much they respected and treated each other.  

We really believe that the overall standard of this season’s bakers have been the highest we have seen so far. 

Dean: They all have done their homework not only learning from the previous shows, but also what both Sue & myself like and don’t like. The level of competition has certainly been raised and there are some very competitive bakers in the barn. This year we have also raised the bar in terms of what we have asked them to bake. 

Ignoring the surge in home baking due to lockdowns, have you noticed a growing interest in home baking since the show began?  

Dean: Home baking has been on the rise over the past 10 years simply because baking is all about passion, care, love and giving. There are no pretentious bakers, just people that love baking & sharing. Everyone loves to bake. Certainly, the show both in NZ but also globally has put baking in the spotlight over and above cooking. I mean... almost anyone can cook pasta, some tomatoes & olive oil, but it takes a special person to put their love, heart & soul into baking. 

Would you say that the quality of the competitors reflects Kiwis’ ability and/or fondness for baking overall?  

Sue: I would say that the quality of some of our bakers may be higher than the average home baker but the fondness for baking is in all of them. Kiwis in general do love to bake. It is a wonderful way to care and share with your family and friends. Who can resist the buttery taste of a home baked cookie over a processed packet one? 

Dean: Yes, absolutely, Aotearoa is a nation of bakers, it's been passed down from our great grandparents, to grandparents, to our mother and now on to our children. We all love our biscuits and cake tins to be filled up with home baked treats. The younger generation are more adventurous, competitive and innovative in their baking, they are combining new flavours and different baking cultures into their baking and sharing their bakes with others outside their family. 

What, if anything, do you think Kiwi competitors bring to the table that contestants on other versions of the show don’t? 

Dean: Kiwis are naturally adventurous and want to incorporate other cultures & flavours into their baking, simply because we live in a multicultural country and that in itself reflects in our flavours and eating habits. In Denmark or Germany for example, they only bake products form their long history & culture. 

What’s one thing you hope the average home baker takes away from watching the  show?  

Dean: Each home baker watching the show will take away something for themselves in respect to flavour combinations and, they will learn new techniques and be more adventurous. However, one of the biggest takeaways will be the sharing, the care, the passion and love each one of the bakers puts into their bakes on the show.  

Sue: Don’t be frightened to try new things in baking, start with the basics and move on to more challenging things (if you are so inclined). One tip from me - always bake in a good mood. 

Catch the new season of The Great Kiwi Bake Off on TVNZ One this Thursday October 14th