Cape Town – Cake Week kicked off the third season of The Great South African Bake Off on Tuesday night.
12 contestants were put to the test with lamingtons, otherwise known as ystervarkies, and a Battenburg cake in the signature and technical rounds.
But it was the showstopper round that ultimately saw the exit of the first contestant in this year’s competition.
Channel24 had a quick chat with Ameer Cloete about what went wrong and who he’s rooting for in the Bake Off tent.
While the Capetonian student made it through the first two bakes, it was his showstopper that let him down when he served the judges an incomplete cake.
The time constraint played a big role in things not working out but that’s not all, says Ameer.
“For the icing and the garnish for the showstopper I had to make a syrup and I don’t know if it was just the fact that I wasn’t used to working in the Bake Off kitchen or what it was but my syrup just didn’t want to come out.
“And because I had to keep trying, it used up a lot of my time.”
But not reaching his end goal, which was an interpretation of a braai, has not got Ameer down as he reveals he will definitely keep baking.
“I don’t think I would make that particular cake again but a vanilla cake decorated with icing and looking pretty I definitely will.”
Although he’s Bake Off experience was brief, Ameer says the best part of the experience was meeting new people, learning to keep calm under pressure and learning more about baking.
And who will he be rooting for to win the third season? Ameer says he hopes his good friend Bryan will go all the way.
“I’m rooting for Bryan. I made a good friend in Bryan while was on the show and I hope he goes all the way."
Watch The Great South African Bake Off every Tuesday on BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) at 20:00.
(Photos: Supplied by BBC)