Réjean Mayer | GCBS Baker Bio
Réjean Mayer, 58 (he/him)
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Occupation: Retired Communications Manager
Instagram: @mayerrejean
Réjean comes from a very big family. He and his husband, Chris, are both the youngest of eight siblings, plus countless cousins, nieces and nephews. Rejéan thrives as host of the family hootenannies when they gather to play music and then enjoy his baking around an elaborately decorated tablescape.
Réjean started baking alongside his daughter, Courtney, following her adoption, as a means for them to connect. It ignited a lifelong passion. Carrying on tradition from his dad, he makes maple syrup from his own trees and loves incorporating it into his bakes. Réjean also enjoys artistic pursuits like sewing, quilting, and performing in local musical theatre productions. The performance gene was also picked up by the family dog, Belvedere, who made his acting debut in a holiday TV movie.
When did you start baking? I learned how to bake when I was a child. I gave it up for a while and I got back into it when my spouse and I adopted our then six-year-old daughter (now 19). She had difficulty expressing herself and bonding was difficult given her past. Since she loved to watch baking on TV, I decided that this would make an excellent bonding activity for the two of us. And indeed, it was!
Working side by side (rather than face to face), our daughter felt so much more comfortable talking to me about her past and opened up about so many experiences she had. Smells, textures and tastes brought back different memories (some good, some not-so-good), but it allowed for such honest conversation. I credit baking for bringing my daughter and I closer together.
What's your signature bake? Usually, I am asked to make a personalized cake for friends and family members on special occasions. I come from a family of 8 (4 males, 4 females) and so does my spouse (4 males, 4 females). So that's A LOT of cakes to make in a year. I even make them for my great, great nieces and nephews. I like to personalize each cake. For instance, if it's a birthday cake for one of my siblings, I ask their children to describe their parent in one word and I incorporate those words on the cake.
What is your fondest memory in the kitchen? Baking a snowman cake with my mom so I could bring it to my class for the winter carnival. The cake was for me and about me. When you're competing for attention against 7 siblings, having a parent laser focus on you is the most wonderful and gratifying feeling in the world.
Why do you think you can be Canada's Best Amateur Baker? I will be honest — I'm not from a generation that toots its horn much. I am sure there are better bakers than me in this competition. What could potentially make me move forward is my creativity and ability to pair flavours. I'm, like, 100 years old, which means that I have gained knowledge and experience during different phases of my life. I have an insatiable drive to learn, learn and learn some more.
Watch The Great Canadian Baking Show on CBC Gem.
