Kitchen Confidential

The Great Canadian Baking Show host Dan Levy on oven drama, queer characters and working with his dad.

- Courtney Shea

 

You’re already the star and showrunner of the hit comedy Schitt’s Creek. What made you decide to also get involved with a baking series?

I was binge-watching The Great British Baking Show and tweeted that if it ever came to Canada, I’d love to host it. I went to sleep and woke up to a million responses saying it is coming here and I should do it. Then I got the call from CBC asking, “Are you serious?”

Why do you think food reality shows are so popular?

People like the positivity. It’s a show about trying to improve yourself—the competition is between the baker and their oven. And it’s suspenseful! You might think, How much suspense can you have in a show about baking? But there is high anxiety in finding out if the bottom of your pie has baked all the way through.