The Great American Baking Show: Season 3 Highlights with Contestant Elisa Veal

As the third season of The Great American Baking Show unfolds, viewers are eager to learn more about the contestants, judges, and hosts. Although the full roster of contestants has yet to be officially released, the trailer reveals that eight bakers will be competing this season.

Launched on April 11 exclusively on The Roku Channel, the third season of the show mirrors the charm and excitement that fans have come to love from its British predecessor. Just before the season premiere, Block Club Chicago shared an interview with one of the contestants, Elisa Veal, who originates from Mount Greenwood, a neighborhood in Chicago.

Elisa Veal’s Inspiring Journey into Baking

Elisa, who works as both a real estate executive assistant and a pastor at the South Shore’s Enduring Faith Christian Center, spoke about her journey into the world of baking. In the interview, she recounted her initial experiences with baking and the joy it has brought her.

“I was like, ‘OK, I’m having fun with it. People are liking it, so I’m gonna keep on doing it. And it just never stopped from there,'”she shared.

Her baking passion ignited when she discovered an award-winning red velvet cake recipe on an online forum. Rather than just following it to the letter, Elisa meticulously analyzed the key ingredients and experimented over seven years to perfect her version—one of which she prepared for The Great American Baking Show.

“I made that cake every way possible, adding eggs first, adding eggs last, creaming the fats, separating the whites from the yolks. I mean, I did every iteration on how to make a cake,”she explained.

Reflecting on her childhood, Veal said she grew up loving food, with her mother’s Southern-style sour cream pound cake being a particular favorite. This beloved dessert has served as a lasting source of inspiration throughout her baking journey.

Elisa’s baking journey truly began when she moved into her first apartment, where her aunt gifted her a KitchenAid mixer. Determined to put it to good use, she started experimenting with cookies and various recipes she had collected from magazines.

The Evolution of Elisa’s Baking Skills

Through experimentation, Elisa honed her skills—she even made 8 to 10 variations of her husband’s favorite lemon cake to find the perfect version. This trial-and-error process contributed significantly to her growth as a baker.

Family encouragement plays a crucial role in her baking evolution, as she often receives challenges from friends and her three daughters to try new recipes and techniques.

Looking Ahead: Elisa’s Ambitions in Season 3

Elisa expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to showcase her baking abilities in such a prestigious setting, likening the experience to driving a race car on an open road without limits:

“It kind of feels like you have a race car and you’re driving on the city streets, but you want to take this race car out on the open road and just see what it’ll do without limits.”

Elisa’s daughter, Jessica, reflected on her mother’s baking, noting that while Elisa has always baked for family and friends or at church events, she rarely had the opportunity to showcase her talent publicly. Jessica expressed pride in her mother for stepping forward and participating in the show.

Concerning her experiences on the show, which was filmed last summer, Veal remarked that the environment felt warm and inviting, allowing her to feel part of a close-knit family during filming.

Stay Tuned for More

To keep up with all the latest developments from The Great American Baking Show Season 3, fans are encouraged to follow the official Instagram account, @thegreatamericanbakingshow.

For a deeper dive into Elisa Veal’s baking journey and more behind-the-scenes insights, check out the full article on Sportskeeda.