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Lenka’s sweet success: How TV baking boosted her confidence

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A University of Bradford staff member who reached the final of the Slovakian version of The Great British Bake-off says the experience has changed her.

Three people each earing an apron stand next to each other and pose for a photo

Lenka Kaur just missed out on victory on Pecie cele Slovensko, which translates to ‘The Whole of Slovakia is Baking’.  

She filmed the series in her native Slovakia earlier this year and the episodes were broadcast in Slovakia every Sunday from early October until the final on 21 December.  

A table featuring a tray with a row of identical cakes with a small photo next to it

‘Changed me for good’  

Lenka, an Access and Participation Co-ordinator at the University, said: “I loved being on the show.  

“Going from being someone who didn’t like my photos taken and absolutely no videos to someone who doesn’t hesitate to speak in front of the cameras is amazing - it has changed me, changed me for good.  

“I am more confident, and I don’t feel so anxious if I have to do something outside of my comfort zone.

“As a baker I have grown massively and now enjoy baking more than ever.  

“I am definitely more confident with my bakes, and I love to experiment with new flavours and recipes. I do like to challenge myself when making cakes.” 

A group of people pose for a photo inside a tent used for a television programme

How the show worked  

Pecie cele Slovensko, the Slovak version of The Great British Bake-Off, is set in a tent in the grounds of the Theresia Chateau and each episode had three weekly baking challenges which are judged.   

But the challenges are slightly different – the opening ‘Personal Challenge’ saw each baker produce their take on that week’s programme theme, the second task remained the same ‘Technical Challenge’ where the participants are not told what they have to bake beforehand, and the final ‘Showstopper’ was re-named the ‘Creative Challenge’.   

Each week a baker was voted off by the programme’s judges with the winner crowned following the final.   

A group of three people each wearing an apron hold hands outside with a crowd behind them

‘Part of my identity and heritage’  

Lenka says she it was ‘absolutely amazing’ to return to Slovakia earlier this year for the filming of the series.  

She said: “As someone who left Slovakia when I was only 18, having opportunity to go back and stay for an extended period of time has been a dream.

“I know England is my home now, but Slovakia is my birthplace, is part of my identity and my heritage. So having to spend time there during the show was absolutely amazing.” 

Strong friendships 

Lenka says she forged strong friendships with her fellow contestants on the programme and has even welcomed some of them over to the UK since the filming was completed.  

She said: “With the contestants we really came together, more as a team than an individuals, which was something I really didn’t expect.  

The journey to the final was wonderful but also sad as people were slowly leaving. However, the friendships became stronger, and we are now more like family which is so lovely. We message daily and meet whenever we can

More on Lenka

Lenka says she started baking with her grandmother in Slovakia when she was eight and previously ran her own small baking business from home.

She moved to the UK from Slovakia in 2002 to study BA (Hons) Business and Management at the University of Bradford and later joined as a staff member.  

Lenka added her speciality bake for family and friends is a pistachio cake with mascarpone, buttercream and raspberries.