Bake off full of lessons for former Benonian

When you hear the words ”ready, set, bake”, all the composure you mustered walking in goes out of the door.

This is what Shawn Govender, a former Benoni resident and former Benoni City Times employee, told the Boksburg Advertiser after being eliminated from The Great South African Bake Off reality TV show.

“There are moments of clarity, but then the panic sets in,” he said.

Govender managed to participate in six of the eight challenges before being eliminated.

“I was really proud of the feat,” he said.

“I always tried to give my best and to push myself beyond my limits, which I believe I definitely did.”

Govender admitted that the pie challenge (episode 6, aired on November 10) was the most challenging for him.

It was the first time he had explored making his own puff pastry and for him to get it done with such great lamination and crispy layers was the best achievement for him.

“I thought I had done pretty well for that challenge and the judges’ comments seemed to be in agreement,” he said.

“So, when the announcement was made it did take me by surprise, as I felt I gave it my all.

“But the judges’ decision is final and I am sure they had valid reasons.”

When he heard his name, there was sort of relief.

“I had been missing my kids and they had been taking some strain with me not being at home over the filming period,” he said.

“My five-year-old daughter, asked her mom the week before (the elimination) — ‘why is Dad not sleeping at home?’.”

In contrast with the pie challenge, Govender loved the macaroon challenge, as he felt quite confident with it.

“Unfortunately I did not get the macaroons as perfect as I normally do, but that was understandable considering we were baking in the bundu in a tent,” he said.

Watching the show from home, Govender wanted to slap himself for the silly mistakes he had made in the tent in the technical challenges.

“There were some valuable lessons in this process for me,” he said.

“It is not without its stresses and challenges, even off camera; bearing in mind that this was the first time any of us had been in front of a camera, or even had our food judged.”

“The learning was huge and it opened up so many more avenues for me to explore in baking and cooking.”

His only regret is that the show didn’t go on for longer.

“Although the pressure was extreme and the hours long, we had an amazing journey with the other bakers and crew,” he said.

“There was such an amazing sense of family in the tent and we would share ideas and recipes and equipment.”

When people walk past me and recognise me from the show and approach me to chat, I relish the conversation we have and how they share their own baking tips and achievements.

Back at home, Govender has realised that your home is where your heart is.

“On my first night back I had a hot shower, found comfort on my couch with my wife, switched off the TV and let my kids use me as a jungle gym,” he said.

“That was the best decompression anyone could ask for.”

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