Baking Scraps

• Karen Mealing

  Karen Mealing, manager of culture and tourism for Midland, Ontario, joins Lisa and Cristina to explore the rich story of Canada’s most beloved dessert: the butter tart. Karen traces its origins from early settler kitchens to Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival, a free street celebration that draws about 60,000 visitors and sells more than 300,000 tarts every June. Fans of The Great Canadian Baking Show will recognize the most delicious controversy at the heart of this treat and a running joke on both CBC and Baking Scraps: are butter tarts best with raisins, or no raisins? Karen shares how that spirited debate once lit up the festival’s social media and continues to shape conversations among bakers and fans alike. She also takes listeners inside the festival’s detailed judging process, reveals flavor combinations ranging from traditional pecan to adventurous black garlic or peanut curry, and describes how the event adapted during the pandemic with a butter tart bicycle trail. With traditions like the ceremonial “piping of the tart,” more than 400 vendor applications each year, and a team that has grown to five planners, this festival has become a beloved cornerstone of Canadian food culture. Along the way, Lisa and Cristina reflect on their own evolving appreciation for butter tarts, making this episode a warm and lively celebration of culinary heritage and community spirit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Gregson Gastar

  In this vibrant first episode of Season 3, Lisa and Cristina sit down with Gregson Gastar, a Filipino-Australian hairdresser turned baking luminary. Gregson’s lifelong love for baking began at nine years old and evolved alongside his creative passions: hair styling, photography, dancing, and dabbling with flavor-rich recipes inspired by his heritage.Despite his impressive enthusiasm and flair, Gregson found himself the first to leave The Great Australian Bake Off Season 9 during cake week. But the judges and audience weren’t left remembering what went wrong; they remembered his “pineapple dance” and the warmth he brought to every whisk and roll.From his early days in the kitchen to his bold leaps into the public eye, Gregson is definitely making his mark, not only with his bakes, but with the joy and authenticity he brings to everything he does.Gregson opens up about the inspirations that shape his flavors, the ways he weaves culture and heritage into his food, and the resilience it takes to keep pursuing your passion even when the journey takes unexpected turns. With warmth, honesty, and his signature “sprinkles and love,” he reminds us that baking is about so much more than what comes out of the oven - it’s about connection, courage, and celebration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Natasha Aschoff

  In this heartwarming and inspiring final Season 2 episode of Baking Scraps, Lisa and Cristina sit down with the dynamic and ever-authentic Natasha Aschoff, a beloved cake artist and finalist on Season 11 of Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. Broadcasting from her kitchen in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Natasha brings her signature warmth and wit to a conversation that’s equal parts candid, emotional, and laugh-out-loud fun.We dive into Natasha’s journey through the Holiday Baking Championship tent: what it was like competing under pressure, the story behind her showstopping Victorian Lambeth cake, and the whirlwind of making it to the finals. She also opens up about the creative process behind her highly detailed, story-driven bakes, and why each cake she makes is rooted in emotion and personal meaning.Throughout the episode, Natasha reflects on her most memorable moments on the show, life after the cameras stopped rolling, and the tricky business of the baking world as a business owner, mom, and content creator. She shares why, to her, authenticity matters more than perfection, and how baking is a form of vulnerability and connection.Get ready for behind-the-scenes insights from the competition, thoughtful advice for bakers of all levels, and honest reflections on imposter syndrome, staying grounded, and finding your voice in a curated online world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Guillaume Boivin 2.0

  🛑 Content Warning:This episode includes discussions around mental health, grief, bullying, and suicide loss. These conversations are handled with care, but listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:Canada: Talk Suicide Canada – Call or text 988, 24/7 to connect with Canada’s national suicide crisis helpline, operated by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)Talk Suicide Canada, reachable at 1‑833‑456‑4566 (or text 45645 — English & French, 4 p.m. to midnight ET)USA: Dial or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — a 24/7 free, confidential support service for anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisisGuillaume Boivin is back with Lisa and Cristina for a rich, raw, and joyfully unpredictable second interview. In this episode, Guillaume opens up about life after The Great Canadian Baking Show, his work as a psychologist and advocate, and the emotional story behind one of his bakes: a tribute to a close friend. While the show touched on the moment, Guillaume shares what he wished had been included, and why it matters to speak honestly about grief and mental health.We also dive into the lighter side of life post-show: the unexpected whirlwind of social media, his spicy sense of humor (intentional and otherwise), and the ever-growing fantasy of Pedro Pascal joining us in the tent. There are laughs, innuendos, and genuine reflections on what it means to show up as your full self - flour-covered hands and all.Plus, Guillaume offers heartfelt advice for the Season 9 bakers, who’ve just wrapped filming and are soon to share their journey with the world.This conversation is everything we love about Guillaume: sincere, irreverent, thoughtful, and thoroughly delightful. Come for the feels, stay for the giggles—and maybe a cinnamon bun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Tina Zaccardi

  This week on Baking Scraps Lisa and Cristina are joined by the one and only Tina Zaccardi … winner of The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition Season 4! 🏆We chat about her incredible baking journey, the contests (and wins!) that paved the way, and her winning strategy of “pivots & tweaks.” Plus, she shares her love for baseball and her latest sweet series recreating iconic MLB stadium desserts all baseball season long. ⚾🍩A home baker turned champ … you don’t want to miss this one! It’s a home run!! #bakingscraps #tinazaccardi #greatamericanbakingshow #homebaker #bakingpodcast #mlbbakes #pivotsandtweaks #stadiumsnacks #holidaybakingchampion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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