Dot Dicks crowned winner of SA Bake Off

Last night Dot Dicks was crowned the first winner of the Great South African Bake Off. With it the entire cast of bakers of the show helped BBC Lifestyle become the most watched lifestyle channel on DStv.

“Never in my wildest imagination did I think I was good enough to win and there were a few close calls. I feel honoured and humbled to be crowned South Africa’s best amateur baker,” Dicks said after scooping the title.

She vied for the title against property manager Teddy Zaki and Michaela Tseun, a professional dancer.

When asked how her family reacted to the win, Dot said: “After they announced that I had won it was all a bit of a blur, but what I will always remember is hugging my husband and daughter, Andrew and Jo, and all of us crying. They put up with a lot during Bake Off. I missed our family holiday and getting my daughter ready for her matric dance, but in the end they both were so proud that I had won it made up for it.”

Dot says she will continue to bake. “I will always bake as it is my passion and hobby. My dream is to own a small guest house somewhere in the Kwa-Zulu Natal midlands and serve high teas, with delicate cakes, cream scones and perhaps a glass or two of bubbly.”

Judge Shirley Guy said one of the reasons Dicks won is because she was consistent and organised during every challenge.

Fellow judge Tjaart Walraven adds Dicks “…managed to incorporate her experience and simple flavours to every challenge. She also has a wealth of experience – a winning formula in our eyes.”

During transmission of the semi-final episode last week, The Great South African Bake Off positioned BBC Lifestyle as the number one lifestyle channel on DStv’s platform. The show has regularly trended number one on Twitter throughout the series.

The first episode of the show in September won the biggest audience ever for the channel. They also managed to snare sponsors like Snowflake and Mugg and Bean. – which added to the success of the show. All these factors are hopefully pointing to a second season of the show.