The Cooling Rack: a podcast about The Great Canadian Baking Show

Can you believe it?! It might have taken all season, but we've finally caught up and just in time for the Finale! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week one final time and listen as they celebrate the winner of Season 8. Thanks again to all our listeners for … Continue reading "Season 8: Week 8 – Finale Week"

Ceeeeelebrate good times, come on! It's Celebration Week in the Baking Show Tent and Michael & James are here for a good time as they breakdown all the bakes of the week. Signature – Diwali Sweets Box (0:00) Technical – Turrón De Doña Pepa (14:05) Showstopper – Kek Lapis Sarawak (19:28)

It's time to get back to earth and keep it natural for the first ever Nature Week in the Baking Show Tent! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week. Signature – Macaron Critters (0:00) Technical – M'Hancha (19:22) Showstopper – Nature Shadowbox (27:58)

Time to get creative and crafty in the Baking Show Tent! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes in Arts & Crafts Week. Signature – Focaccia Painting (0:00) Technical – Origami Entremets (10:06) Showstopper – Cartoon Cake (18:30)

We've got a fresh brew of The Cooling Rack here for you to breakdown all the bakes of the week in the Baking Show Tent to celebrate the first ever Coffee & Tea Week. Join Michael & James as they steep in the bakes! Signature – Tiramisu (0:00) Technical – Melktert (12:57) Showstopper – Fika … Continue reading "Season 8: Week 4 – Coffee & Tea Week"

It's Savoury Week in the Baking Show Tent, but we've got a sweet episode for you! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week (Michael may be extra hungry) and end up discussing slang. Signature – Samosas (0:00) Technical – Korean Cream Cheese Garlic Buns (13:50) Showstopper – Wellingtons (28:15)

It's time to get kooky for cookies in the Baking Show Tent! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week and then go on a journey about Stanleys and Fridgescaping. Signature – Stuffed Cookie (0:00) Technical – Pink Wafer Cookie (26:38) Showstopper – Cookie Map (36:22)

Well, better late than never, right?! The Cooling Rack returns to breakdown all the bakes of Season 8 of the Great Canadian Baking Show. We may be a few days late, but we're here to have fun and figured it's better to be late than to not do the podcast at all! Thanks for sticking … Continue reading "Season 8: Week 1 – Cake Week"

It's time for our treat to you! Join Michael and James as they sit down for fireside chats with Season 7 bakers, Andrew, Candice, Camila and Loïc. A special thanks to all our listeners and to the Season 7 bakers; it's been a blast and we'll see you for Season 8! Interview with Andrew (1:45) … Continue reading "Season 7 Lookback – Interviews with Bakers Andrew Evers, Candice Riley, Camila García Hernández, & Loïc Fauteux-Goulet"

Sleigh Bells Ring! It's The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the festive bakes of the week and revel in the glory of these amazing bakers. Also, don't miss out on a special bonus treat next week! Happy Holidays everyone! Signature – Milk & Cookies Tart (0:00) Technical … Continue reading "Season 7: The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show"

How are we already here?! It's Finale Week in the Baking Show Tent, so join Michael and James as they breakdown the final bakes of Season 7 and celebrate the winner. But don't worry, we're not done just yet! We'll be back next week for the Holiday Baking Show, and we've got some other fun … Continue reading "Season 7: Week 8 – Finale Week"

Don't try this at home! It's Patisserie Week in the Baking Show Tent, so sit back and watch the Season 7 bakers do all the difficult bakes instead of trying to yourself. Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week! Signature – Religieuses (0:00) Technical – Chaja (12:41) Showstopper – … Continue reading "Season 7: Week 7 – Patisserie Week"

Ooooooh it's getting épicée up in here! It's Spice Week in the Baking Show Tent, so join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week. Signature – Ras Malai Cake Slices (0:00) Technical – Jamaican Patties (9:57) Showstopper – Spiced Cookie Architectural Wonder (20:19)

It's time to go back, back, back, back, back in time for Old School Week on The Great Canadian Baking Show! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the groovy bakes of the week. Signature – Toaster Pastry (0:00) Technical – Knafeh (17:32) Showstopper – Kitsch Cake (25:04)

Hey there, hi there, ho there! It's Harvest Week in the Baking Show Tent, so join Michael & James for a cornucopia of opinions as they breakdown all the bakes of the week. Signature – Pide (0:00) Technical – Thousand Layer Moon Cake (14:44) Showstopper – Fruit Tile Tart (21:47)

It's time to get kooky! No wait, cookie! It's Cookie Week in the Baking Show Tent, so join Michael & James as they break down all the bakes of the week. Signature – Embroidery Cookies (0:00) Technical – Kaak Nakache (19:27) Showstopper – Cookie Layer Cake (36:22)

The time has come for the Season 7 bakers to proof themselves! It's Bread Week in the GCBS Tent and Michael & James are here with breakdowns of all the bakes of the week. Thanks for listening and Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Signature – Cornbread (0:00) Technical – Rosca de Reyes (19:41) Showstopper – Tower of … Continue reading "Season 7: Week 2 – Bread Week"

Guess who's back in the tent?! Or at least back with microphones and opinions few people asked for! Join Michael & James as they embark on the Season 7 journey of The Great Canadian Baking Show! Be sure to stick around til the end of the episode as we also have special on-set interviews with … Continue reading "Season 7: Week 1 – Cake Week"

Seasons Greetings & Many Happy Bakes! It's time for another edition of The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show! Join Michael & James as they breakdown all the festive bakes of the week. Thank you to the show & all our listeners for another fantastic season; we're looking forward to returning next season! Signature – Holiday … Continue reading "Season 6: The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show"

As Season 6 of The Great Canadian Baking Show comes to a close, join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week and celebrate the Season 6 winner! Thanks again for all your support this season and congratulations to all the bakers! We'll return for the Holiday Baking Show. Signature – … Continue reading "Season 6: Week 8 – Finale Week"

Veré Phancé! It's Fancy Dessert Week in the Baking Show Tent! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all of the bakes of the week and get a mean hankering for Jell-O along the way! Signature – Mochi Donuts (0:00) Technical – Sans Rival (14:01) Showstopper – Jelly Art Cake (28:30)

We're rolling in to Pastry Week in the Baking Show Tent! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all of the bakes of the week and stick around at the end for an extra special interview with Season 6 Baker Rosemary O'Neill. This is an episode you don't want to miss! Signature – Hungarian Chimney … Continue reading "Season 6: Week 6 – Pastry Week"

We're melting with excitement over Chocolate Week in the Baking Show Tent! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week, and stick around at the end when they enjoy some tasty treats from Season 6 Baker, Rosemary! Signature – Ice Cream Sandwiches (0:00) Technical – Sacher Torte (13:28) Showstopper – … Continue reading "Season 6: Week 5 – Chocolate Week"

Things are in full bloom in the Baking Show Tent as the bakers enter Botanical Week! Join Michael and James are they breakdown all the bakes of the week with plenty of fun along the way. And don't forget, a rose by any other name… Signature – Sandwich Cookies (0:00) Technical – Chebakia (14:31) Showstopper … Continue reading "Season 6: Week 4 – Botanical Week"

You bread-er believe it; it's Bread Week in the GCBS Tent! Join Michael & James as they breakdown all the bakes of the week with some fun interludes along the way! Signature – Flatbreads (0:00) Technical – Swedish Tea Ring (14:16) Showstopper – Bread Work of Art (30:23)

It's Biscuits & Bars Week in the GCBS Tent and Michael & James are here to breakdown all the *checks notes ~ Wait, what did I write down?* bakes of the week. Thanks to all of our listeners for so many kind messages upon our return last week. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Signature – Meringue … Continue reading "Season 6: Week 2 – Biscuits & Bars Week"

Welcome back to an all-new season of The Cooling Rack! Join Michael and James as they get to know the 10 new bakers of Season 6 of The Great Canadian Baking Show. To kick things off it's Cake Week and the duo breaks all the highs, the lows and the bolo de rolos of the … Continue reading "Season 6: Week 1 – Cake Week"

It's the most festive time of the year! And what better way to celebrate than with a second helping of The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show!? Join Michael and James as they breakdown all of the festive bakes from returning contestants Jodi, Colin, Sachin & Linda. Happy Holidays everyone! Signature – Goodie Tray (0:00) Technical … Continue reading "Season 5: The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show"

It's Finale Week in the Bake Off Tent and if the tension were any thicker you could cut it with a knife…or prove it in a drawer! Join Michael & James one last time in Season 5 as they breakdown all of the bakes of the week. Also, don't miss when they return next week … Continue reading "Season 5: Week 8 – Finale Week"

It takes a delicate touch to make it to the final & French Patisserie Week is all that stands between the bakers and the Season 5 finale. Join Michael and James as they breakdown all of the bakes of the week & speculate who may be the winner! Signature – Vol au vents (0:00) Technical … Continue reading "Season 5: Week 7 – French Patisserie Week"

Is it care-a-mel or kar-a-mel?! These are the eternal questions and more that Michael & James attempt to answer as they breakdown all the bakes in the GCBS Tent from Week 6. Signature – Florentines (0:00) Technical – Caramel Glaze Donut (11:57) Showstopper – Caramel Layer Cake (17:36)

So happy you could pie! It's Pie Week in the Baking Show Tent & the competition is really heating up as the bakers are all vying for a spot to get ever closer to the final! Join Michael & James as they breakdown all the bakes from Week 5. Signature – Provincial Pie (0:00) Technical … Continue reading "Season 5: Week 5 – Pie Week"

The proof is in the proofing! It's Bread Week in the Baking Show Tent & the yeast you can do is listen to the latest episode of The Cooling Rack. Join Michael & James as they breakdown all of the bakes of the week. Signature – Babka (0:00) Technical – Bo Lo Bao (9:55) Showstopper … Continue reading "Season 5: Week 4 – Bread Week"

Cheers! It's Celebration Week in the GCBS Tent and there's plenty of reason for good spirits. Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the bakes from Week 3. Signature – Eclairs (0:00) Technical – Spider Web Cake (17:43) Showstopper – Meringue Wedding Centrepiece (27:50)

Munch munch; crunch crunch! It's Cookie Week in the GCBS Tent, so join Michael & James as they breakdown all the bakes (including some truly jaw-dropping creations) in Week 2. Signature – Ice Box Cookies (0:00) Technical – Pirouette Cookies (19:28) Showstopper – Cookie Mosaic (28:17)

Oh me, oh my! TWO seasons of The Great Canadian Baking Show in one year?! How lucky can we be! Michael and James are back with weekly recaps and breakdowns of all the bakes on GCBS. Join them as they share their thoughts on the new cast of bakers and how everyone fared in Week … Continue reading "Season 5: Week 1 – Cake Week"

Season 4 of The Great Canadian Baking Show may have wrapped, but that doesn't mean our craving for more has been satisfied! Hopefully our interviews with Season 4 baker-contestants Larry Harris, Tanner Davies, Mahathi Mundluru, Maggie Frith & Raufikat Oyawoye-Salami will help satiate your appetite until Season 5! Thanks for listening all season long! Larry … Continue reading "Season 4 Lookback: Interviews with Bakers Larry Harris, Tanner Davies, Mahathi Mundluru, Maggie Frith & Raufikat Oyawoye-Salami"

So it all comes down to this! Three bakers enter the tent and only one will win! Join Michael and James as they breakdown the bakes for a final time this season and find out who won the Baking Bracket. Thanks again for all the support this season! We're hoping to have a surprise to … Continue reading "Season 4: Week 8 – Finale Week"

Put on your glad rags, it's Fancy Dessert Week in the Baking Show Tent! As we get ever-so-close to the finale, Michael and James break down the bakes of the week, provide a final update to their baking brackets and guess who may win the season! Signature – Entremets (0:00) Technical – Passionfruit Chocolate Charlotte … Continue reading "Season 4: Week 7 – Fancy Dessert Week"

It's Pastry Week in the Baking Show Tent and Michael and James are here to breakdown all of the bakes of the week, including their veg-filled thoughts on the Showstopper! Later, the guys go over their Baking Brackets and give a listener shoutout. Signature – Strudel (0:00) Technical – Bakewell Tart (19:15) Showstopper – Vegetable … Continue reading "Season 4: Week 6 – Pastry Week"

Spring is in the air and Botancial Week is in full bloom in the Baking Show Tent! Join Michael and James as they break down their favourite bakes of the week and update their baking brackets! Signature – Fruit Tart (0:00) Technical – Herb Garden Dumplings (23:50) Showstopper – Two-Tiered Floral Cake (34:31)

Buongiorno! It's Italian Week in the Baking Show tent and Michael and James are here to dish on all the amazing (and we TRULY mean amazing) bakes from Week 4 of The Great Canadian Baking Show! Signature – Biscotti (0:00) Technical – Cannoncini (20:05) Showstopper – Leaning Tower (34:33)

NOM NOM NOM! It's Cookie Week in the Baking Show tent and Michael & James are here to gobble it all up. Join the guys as they breakdown the bakes for the week and check in on their Baking Brackets. Signature – Linzer Cookies (0:00) Technical – Stroopwafels (20:05) Showstopper – Cookie Family Portrait (33:35)

It's Bread Week and The Cooling Rack is here to rise to the occasion (get it)! Michael and James are breaking down all their favourite bakes from the week and they also update their Baking Brackets. Did you have a favourite bake from the week? Signature – Tropezienne (0:00) Technical – Pretzels (21:33) Showstopper – … Continue reading "Season 4: Week 2 – Bread Week"

Season 4 of The Great Canadian Baking Show starts off with a bang with Cake Week! Join Michael and James as they breakdown all the highs, lows, and delicious moments as they get acquainted with all the bakers. If you're a new listener, please don't forget to subscribe! Signature – Bundt Cake (0:00) Technical – … Continue reading "Season 4: Week 1 – Cake Week"

Wow, what a year and a bit! Michael and James are thrilled that The Great Canadian Baking Show has returned for a fourth season and they're excited to get back to breaking down all of the bakes in this upcoming season. To kick things off, the guys discuss the new batch of bakers and their … Continue reading "Season 4 – Prep Week"

The holidays are fast approaching and what better way to get in the mood than with some festive spirit in the Baking Show Tent? Michael and James talk about all the holiday bakes and the returning bakers, James & Vandana from Season 1, and Timothy & Megan from Season 2. They even speculate on some … Continue reading "Season 3: The Great Canadian Holiday Baking Show"

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS! It's Finale Week in the GCBS Tent (a very French-inspired finale, if we may add) and someone is going to win. Join Michael and James one last time for Season 3 as a winner is crowned! We will also be doing an episode for the Great Canadian Holiday Baking … Continue reading "Season 3: Week 8 – Finale Week"

We're almost at the finish line! It's the Semi-Finals in the Baking Show Tent, and this year that means it's pie week! Michael and James provide “insight” as usual; although for this episode, they also share their experience being on set while the episode was filmed. Later, the guys are also joined by Jay Smidt, … Continue reading "Season 3: Week 7 – Pie Week w/ special guest Jay Smidt"

It's time to hit the road for International Week on The Great Canadian Baking Show! Michael and James suffer a complete and total case of the giggles at one point, but decided to leave it in because we still laughed so much during editing. We've also got a new Aurora on Record this week! Signature … Continue reading "Season 3: Week 6 – International Week"

The chocolate is flowing in the Baking Show Tent this week and the laughs don't stop coming on this episode of The Cooling Rack. James and Michael are here again to offer uninformed critiques of the bakes and unsolicited opinions on email structure. Signature – Chocolate Sandwich Cookie (0:00) Technical – Marquise au chocolat (14:29) … Continue reading "Season 3: Week 5 – Chocolate Week"