A mix of screaming and crying in excitement was something a Richmond woman had to do on her own when she found out she would be competing in CBC’s fifth season of The Great Canadian Baking show.
Caron Lau – a 26-year-old occupational therapist (OT) born in Hong Kong – was at work when she received an email and a call about the news.
“It had to be kept very secret for a long time and I was very excited inside. I probably screamed and cried a lot and the whole time was just a joyful blur,” said Lau, adding that she was looking forward to meeting all the other bakers.
“I’m just excited to be representing Richmond with its diversity, and I’m also excited to represent occupational therapists so people have a better idea of what we do and how these things mesh (together) on the baking show.”
Lau told the Richmond News that she picked up baking as a hobby during COVID-19 when she had completed her occupational therapy program and had a bit of “spare time” before she could officially graduate and start working.
“I picked up baking because everyone was making bread during the pandemic, and I was no exception,” she said, adding that baking was a good way to keep her challenged during the pandemic.
While Lau learned the basics about baking from a friend in 2019, she said she found that the most important thing about baking was not the technical details. Rather, it was how baking could bring people together.
“It was unbelievable to meet these talented bakers from the show and just to be in the tent with them was the biggest privilege,” said Lau.
For Lau, baking is a form of stress relief and she hopes to combine this passion with her work as an OT to help people with disabilities.
“I want to be able to work with people with disabilities and help them learn how to learn or relearn how to bake.
“My job as an OT is to work with people and get them back to doing the things that are meaningful to them and one day I would love to do that with baking as well.”
The Great Canadian Baking Show airs on Sundays at 8 p.m. on CBC starting Oct. 17. It can also be streamed on the free CBC Gem app.
