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Cape Town – The contestants have been revealed for the second season of The Great South African Bake Off on BBC Lifestyle that will start on 18 October.
The second season of the show includes 12 contestants, ranging from Johannesburg housewives and a domestic worker, to an economist and a scientist doing crop modelling, to a psychologist, electrician and correctional officer.
One of the contestants however left the show partway during filming after questions were raised over whether she's really an amateur baker.
Viewers will see Asfeyah Mia, 52, a housewife from Johannesburg, as one of the 12 new Great South African Bake Off contestants, but she leaves the show abruptly partway through the upcoming second season.
According to BBC Worldwide "Asfeyah left The Great South African Bake Off before the final, therefore her departure did not impact either the make-up of the final or the overall series winner".
Lentshe Bhengu will also be replacing Donovan Goliath as the new co-presenter with Anne Hirsch in the upcoming season, with Shirley Guy and Tjaart Walraven who remain as the judges.
Meet the contestants:
Nasreen Chamda (28), industrial psychologist, Johannesburg
She calls baking with her mom "one of my most precious memories" and says that she tends to "push the boundaries of the cakes that we are required to bake". Says she would describe herself as a "croquembouche" because it has "components that are traditional and pretty". If she could have baked a cake for anyone, it would be for Nelson Mandela.
Cait McWilliams (18), restaurant manager, Cape Town
Calls herself a "focused cook that enjoys classic flavours" and her signature bake is "anything to do with chocolate and salted caramel". Says her apron slogan would be "never lose your temper".
Earl Mark Morrison (48), electrician, Durban
He was always interested in baking and uses it to escape. He calls himself a "precise perfectionist who always expects good results". He says he "bakes with passion and perseverance and failure is not an option" and that his mom taught him to appreciate the little things in life.
Hillary Aries (32), accounts clerk, Johannesburg
He says he started experimenting with baking as a teenager. "Every Sunday as a family we had to have something fresh out of the oven, so I would always bake anything from scones to breads, and my favourite, chocolate cake". He says baking for him is all about taste and would bake a cake for his parents if he could. "I know my mum and dad are watching over me."
Jason Miller (24), design student, Johannesburg
He says that he can do the moonwalking while baking and would like to bake a cake for Lady Gaga. "I love her style, her music and everything she stands for. The slogan on his apron would be: "When life gives you lemons, make a cheesecake".
Leon Jansen van Vuuren (50), correctional officer, Johannesburg
This home cook says him mom taught him how to bake three decades ago, and says he's scared of working with the mixer and the oven. If he was a cake he says he would be a "bee sting cake - soft on the inside and hard and sticky on the top".
Penny Rider (57), housewife, Johannesburg
Her biggest baking disaster ever was making rusks for a friend and forgetting to add the sugar. "I learnt the basics of baking from my mum and the more advanced baking from my dad".
Asfeyah Mia (52), housewife, Johannesburg
Says she likes to "experiment with new ideas, equipment, inspiration". The slogan on her apron would be "bake from your heart".
Avontalent Tanhera (29), domestic worker, Durban
Originally from Zimbabwe, Avontalent says her passion "started four years ago, as I was far away from home". "What sets me apart from the other bakers is I am still new to baking. I don't back of easily and I'm good with flavours. I am fast, determined and optimistic".
Carol Ndovela (35), promo producer, Johannesburg
Says she got into baking from watching cooking and baking shows on television and says people would describe her as "rebellious, I don't like to be put in a box". She says she would love to bake a cake for her late mum. "She was a hopeless baker and she would be very proud of me".
Matthew Jones (35), scientist (crop modeller), Durban
Says he was inspired by the bread baked by his grandfather and calls himself "pragmatic and authentic". "I favour recipes with simple, easily-obtained ingredients. I also prefer to bake things where the appearance is determined by the preparation method and ingredients, rather than artificial decoration".
Motshidisi Mokoena (28), economist, Johannesburg
"I only really got into baking about five years ago whilst completing my Master's degree. My passion and love for cakes grew even deeper as I started working and needed a creative outlet from my stressful day at the office," she says. She describes herself as an "analytical but messy cook".
