Vincent to judge 'Great Australian Bake Off'
BY NICOLE MARSHALL MIDDLETON World Scene Writer
Sunday, October 21, 2012
10/21/12 at 4:28 AM
Tulsa's Kerry Vincent has landed a spot as a judge on a network cooking show, "The Great Australian Bake Off."
Vincent, who is originally from Australia, founded the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show at the Tulsa State Fair. She is also a judge on the cooking show "Food Network Challenge."
Vincent said Friday that she was "tickled to death" to have the opportunity.
She has not been home to Australia in 12 years because of her filming schedule, so she is especially happy to have the opportunity, Vincent said.
"I am very, very thrilled to be a part of the show. I just can't believe my luck, really," Vincent said. "It is a wonderful compliment to be invited home to one's own country to do something like this."
Shane Jacobson and Anna Gare are hosts of "The Great Australian Bake Off," with Vincent and Dan Lepard joining them as judges in the search to find Australia's best home baker.
Ten home-baking enthusiasts will be put through a series of grueling elimination challenges, baking a mouth-watering selection of cakes, pies, tarts, pastries, bread, biscuits and desserts.
The franchise began on the BBC TWO in 2010, and the UK format is a ratings phenomenon with its series three finale recently drawing its highest peak audience of 7.2 million and attracting a record-breaking average of 6.5 million viewers.
In the United States, CBS has just announced it will commission a full American series. The franchise created by Love Productions and distributed by BBC Worldwide has been adapted in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, Norway and France.
" 'The Great Australian Bake Off' will bring together the country's most imaginative and accomplished home bakers to dish up amazing treats for two judges they will really want to impress," said Programming Production Executive Courtney Gibson.
Shane Jacobson, one of Australia's favorite personalities, will co-host the new series with Anna Gare, a home cook who has become one of Australia's favorite TV chefs.
Vincent has been nicknamed "the Simon Cowell of Cake" for her role on "Food Network Challenge."
She grew up on a farm in Western Australia and won her first Country Women's Association baking competition at the age of 8. She moved to Tulsa when she married an Oklahoma engineer 38 years ago and brought her Aussie baking flair and exquisite sugar artistry to the world of American cakes.
Filming will begin soon with the show airing in the spring. But, Vincent added, she still considers Tulsa her home and will be returning after the show.
Original Print Headline: Vincent to judge Australia 'Bake Off'
Nicole Marshall Middleton 918-581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Kerry Vincent talks to contestant Joshua John Russel on an episode of "Food Network Challenge." Her new position: a judge on "The Great Australian Bake Off." Courtesy
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